Relapse Tips: Prevention And Warning Signs
Staying sober after you quit an addiction is a real struggle. These tips will help you to avoid and control any temptation to relapse.
It is not always easy for addicts to accept help. Not many addicts check themselves into rehab, and even those who do will tell you that it was the hardest decision of their lives.
Deciding to get clean and sober is only the beginning. Staying clean and sober in the outside world is the real battle.
Many recovering addicts admit that they are tempted to relapse or have relapsed more than once in their recovery journey.
To avoid relapse, you have to be self-aware. You have to know your triggers and how to handle them.
Prevention And Warning Signs
The opioid is the most abused prescription drug in America. If your family has been affected by opioid addiction, and you suspect foul play, contact an opioid law firm to know your option. This is the first step you need to take after seeking help for your loved ones.
If your loved one relapsed, it is important to note that relapse happens in three stages:
- Emotionally
- Mentally
- Physically
One step leads to the other, and before you know you know it, you are going down the rabbit hole again.
1. Emotional Relapse
The emotional signs almost resemble post-acute withdrawal symptoms. These include anxiety, anger, bad sleeping and eating habits, isolation, among others.
Going back to your life after rehab can be tough. You have to change your friends, where you hang out, among other things. This might start to affect you emotionally.
The first step is to realize and acknowledge the emotions that you are experiencing and begin to change your behavior and response to certain situations.
Second, is to start taking care of yourself. If you used to take drugs to relax, take up yoga, or go to the gym. Adopt new practices that will do more benefit to your body than drugs.
2. Mental Relapse
When you think about something long enough, eventually you will go and get it. This stage of relapse starts with you thinking about using it.
Many addicts, when they get out of rehab, believe that they can now control their drug abuse. It is this fantasy that will make you go back to hanging out with your old friends who still use it.
You start by taking one pill, and before you know it, you buy a bottle.
You can prevent this, however, by distracting yourself or learning to stay busy.
Share your thoughts with your sponsor or someone you trust.
Give yourself some time. I bet you will not be thinking about using it after 30 minutes.
Learn to relax and take it one day at a time. Have goals that meet your emotional strength for each day.
3. Physical Relapse
Without practicing the above steps, you will eventually fall back into using it. If you ignore the emotional and mental signs of a relapse, then physical relapse is inevitable.
It is, therefore, essential to be informed and to get therapy if needed to help you transition into the world again.
The most important thing is to know your triggers and how to stop them from gaining control over your mind and body.
Indeed, rehab doesn’t always help everybody. For opioid addicts, for example, there are other treatment plans.
