Free Yourself from Triggers and Relapse [Infographic]

What Triggers a Relapse?

For those struggling with an addiction to alcohol or drugs, relapse is an end to a period of sobriety. Those who are sober for a full year have relapse rates lower than 50%, and those who are sober for a full five years see relapse rates of less than 15%. Although relapse doesn’t mean failure, it can be a major setback. Learn more about what triggers a relapse in order to avoid it and keep on the path toward complete recovery.

Ask your intake specialist about mindfulness-based relapse prevention in Florida.

Stress

One of the most common emotions that trigger a relapse is stress. After a rehab treatment program, it can be challenging to re-enter society and begin working, balancing a busy schedule, or rekindling old relationships. That’s why it’s so critical to attend a treatment center where coping mechanisms are taught to help deal with stress and avoid a relapse.

Anxiety and Depression

It’s not uncommon for addiction to be paired with anxiety or depression. Of the over two million individuals who enter rehab in the United States each year, as many as 500,000 suffer from one or both of these psychological concerns.

Both depression and anxiety can cause emotional trauma, causing patients who have abstained from drug or alcohol use to have cravings. Patients might believe that drug or alcohol use will help end these feelings, but that is a deceptive thought. By attending a rehab program, patients can address underlying issues causing depression or get prescriptions to help reduce anxiety.

Inappropriate Environments

One of the most obvious things that trigger a relapse is the environment. Being surrounded by people who drink or abuse drugs is never good for someone struggling with addiction. As obvious as it sounds, abstaining from these tempting environments can go a long way in reducing the likelihood of a relapse.

Pain or Discomfort

Abusing drugs or alcohol over the long term can cause major health problems. In fact, those with an addiction to drugs will die, on average, 22.5 years sooner than a person free from addiction.

Health problems that cause pain may cause patients to feel the need to use drugs or alcohol. Although the brain may convince individuals that using will erase that pain, it will only prolong the process of recovery. By learning what triggers a relapse, you can be stronger and more vigilant about maintaining sobriety. One thing to remember is that individuals are ten times less likely to relapse if an effective rehab program follows a detox program. Consider your relapse prevention plan in FL.

The Importance of Relapse Prevention

For many of the clients, relapse prevention is a critical part of the recovery process. This treatment allows many of our clients to avoid relapse or cope with it if it does happen. One essential part of relapse prevention is developing coping skills. These skills allow our clients to manage a range of challenges, such as stress or anxiety. Many of these challenges can trigger a return to using. Coping skills can take a variety of forms, such as:

• Exercise
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Taking a walk outside
• Journaling

In addition, this relapse prevention can help you identify your potential triggers. Once you’ve learned what your triggers are, you may be able to process these feelings in a healthier way, rather than relapsing.

With the help of relapse prevention, it is also possible to change your lifestyle. For instance, we may recommend a change of address if you live with someone who continues to use or abuse drugs and alcohol. We can also provide therapeutic support to help our clients understand the root causes of their addiction.

Finally, relapse prevention involves a specific plan detailing what to do in case you think you may relapse. These steps may include talking to an accountability partner, attending support group meetings, or seeking a less intensive addiction treatment program. This plan is developed by you and an individual counselor, ensuring it addresses the unique challenges that you face.

Begin Your Recovery at Beaches Recovery

Staying in alcohol and drug rehab longer can lead you to have a decreased chance of triggering a relapse. If you truly want lasting recovery, consider following-up detox with more rehab programs, including:

• Residential rehab program in Jacksonville
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP) in FL
• Outpatient rehab program

Aftercare programs provide continuing support to avoid relapse triggers like stress. These maintenance or transitional programs include:

• Aftercare program
• Alumni program in Jacksonville
• Sober living program in FL
• Continued individual, group, and family therapy in FL

Contact Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532 to learn more about detox, rehab treatment, and lasting recovery from drug and alcohol abuse.