How to Handle a Relapse After Rehab

For some people, rehab is next to a religious experience and can set them up for a drug and alcohol-free life. Yet, it is unrealistic to think that one time in rehab will make you invincible from the things that gave you pain and trouble in the past. Since you are only human, there is always a chance of relapse after rehab.

There are a few different triggers for relapse:

• Financial issues
• Social problems
• Job loss
• Not sustaining any hobbies, which leads to boredom

If you do stumble and fall again, what’s the next step? How can you get back up and back on the road to being clean again? These tips will help you use mindfulness based relapse prevention to maintain sobriety after treatment and prevent relapse after rehab.

Forgive Yourself for Relapse After Rehab 

This may be the hardest piece of advice you will receive. Still, if you harbor intense resentment toward yourself during this process, you will drift farther away from your goals.

It’s important to let go of the past and recognize that there isn’t anything you can do to change it. You need to accept it, learn from your lessons, and give yourself permission to take the past for what it was.

Make Note of Urges

Urges are a bit like pain. They intensify, then recede. Rather than entertaining these feelings to the point of acting on them, instead start “surfing” them. Recognize them for what they are, but treat them like a psychological wound that is healing.

When a wound scabs over, you may be tempted to scratch at it. Yet doing so will only tear it open again and make it bleed. Your mental pain isn’t much different than physical pain. Seek a healthy alternative to treating the urge like a pain. Rather than give in to it, find some alternative that is healthy and reminds you to stay resilient and sober. Some ideas are:

• Finding a new hobby
• Getting involved in social activities
• Volunteering your time

Practice Rational Emotions and Identify Personal Triggers 

Emotions can be anything but rational. If you relapse after rehab, it’s important to first identify the negative moods and strong feelings. Then, determine a logical reason for what caused them. Was there a physical urge for your anger, like hunger or thirst? That can be remedied with healthy refreshment. If you treat the underlying cause, the emotional outburst will simmer down and become much more manageable.

You must also start assessing the close relationship addiction and triggers have with one another. Is there something that you find particularly painful in your life? Triggers are delicate and incredibly unique for everyone. By identifying and acknowledging your triggers for what they are, you can learn ways to manage them and prevent them from causing the same thought patterns that led to substance abuse in the past.

Get Help When You Need It With Beaches Recovery

Beaches Recovery is here to make this part of the journey easier. In addition to helping you figure out what personally triggers your relapse after rehab, we’ll also help put you back on the road to recovery with a few programs:

• Anger management support 
• 12 step approach to recovery
• Group therapy
• Detox
• Mindfulness based relapse prevention

If you’re ready to talk about preventing relapse after rehab, then call Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532.