Recovering from addiction is not easy. However, experiencing a setback while recovering is part of the learning experience. Of course, you may feel devastated and guilty, but you shouldn’t allow the relapse to prevent you from growing or invalidating any work you have already achieved. What should matter the most is the way you respond to a relapse. When you know how to respond, create a recovery plan for your relapse, and seek help, you have all the steps you need to protect your long-term recovery.
Understand the Setback
You need to understand that you have a chronic addiction and not any lack of willpower or weakness. As with all other chronic diseases, you may experience both remission and recurrence. There are various reasons why a relapse could occur, such as triggers, decreased support, or even simple stress. When you recognize that anyone can experience relapse, you can remove the stigma and self-blame by concentrating on your recovery.
Acknowledge the Relapse
The first step to take in understanding your setback is to acknowledge it. If you deny its occurrence, your addiction cycle will be prolonged. To avoid this, you need to ask yourself honest questions leading up to the occurrence.
These questions may include:
- Did I ignore any warning signs?
- What was happening before the relapse occurred?
- Did I respond to temptation appropriately?
Writing your thoughts or expressing them openly helps you to see patterns. Remember, self-reflection is not meant to blame. It’s about your triggers being understood so that you can make a direct relapse recovery plan in the future.
What To Do After Relapse
Your recovery’s biggest enemy is isolation. Once relapse takes place, you may begin to feel ashamed and start to withdraw from others. It is crucial to stay connected during this time by contacting friends, sponsors, and your therapist. By reaching out as early as possible, you can prevent a small relapse from becoming another episode of addiction.
Get a hold of your therapist as soon as possible if your recovery is structured. Your therapist can make an assessment and decide if returning to treatment is best or if a sufficient adjustment to your treatment plan will do.
Oftentimes, a re-engagement with therapy, support groups, or outpatient appointments can re-establish structure and accountability.
If you need a starting point, American Treatment Network provides addiction care that is evidence-based and compassionate. No matter what type of help you need, our team can help keep you moving forward in a dignified and confident manner.
Readjust Your Recovery Plan
Your relapse can be a sign to readjust your recovery plan’s strategies. Note what did and did not work. Did you experience coping gaps? Were there unaddressed changes in your life or stress? Did you start skipping therapy or group meetings?
A strong recovery plan needs to:
- Incorporate a list of emergency contacts who can help when cravings set in
- Identify triggers that put you at risk
- Practice strategies known to work, such as mindfulness exercises and journaling
- Reconnect with therapists and groups to reinforce accountability
- Strengthen your routine with meaningful activities
You need to make sure that your recovery plan progresses around your life. It needs to adapt to your emotional and environmental changes. When your approach is refined, your resilience is strengthened to prevent future setbacks.
Reconsider More Treatment
You may even feel like more treatment is necessary. This is not a bad thing because it can be viewed as being proactive in your recovery. Of course, if your relapse is severe enough, you may benefit from intensive outpatient care, detoxification, or residential treatment.
Having another round of treatment can restore focus and reinforce your ability to cope. You also achieve a safe environment that renews your confidence.
American Treatment Network’s programs are personalized and combined with counseling, medical supervision, and planning that prevent a relapse. If you are in need of short-term or long-term care, you get an approach that is integrated into your needs.
Concentrate on Self-Compassion
A lot of the people seeking recovery are the harshest against themselves. Once a relapse occurs, they begin to feel guilty, disappointed, and eventually hopeless and unable to move toward recovery. So, if you want to promote healing, you need to concentrate on self-compassion.
Having a relapse does not mean your progress vanishes. It is just a reminder that your recovery needs more effort from you in order to succeed. Just acknowledge your setback and celebrate your ability to confront it head-on.
Incorporate activities such as journaling, mindfulness, and self-care that’ll decrease any negativity and rebuild your strength. The compassion you receive needs to be the same as what others would receive from you.
Reengage With Your Goals
Your recovery involves a lot more than just abstinence. It also includes creating a life that is fulfilling. Following a relapse, you must be able to reconnect with the “why” so that you stay motivated. Or maybe you would like to rebuild broken relationships, regain healthy living, or achieve mindfulness.
By setting goals that are achievable and aligned with values, you can restore direction and purpose. With each small step forward, you will positively rebuild resilience and confidence.
Develop Safeguards That Are Long-Term
To eliminate any chance of addiction setbacks, long-term safeguards should be implemented. Some of these safeguards could involve peer support group participation, therapy that is ongoing, or changes in lifestyle that maintain stability. By implementing safeguards, you can avoid risks and keep a schedule.
You can also utilize therapy that focuses on relapse prevention and identifies adaptive coping skills and early warning signs. Gradually, you can respond to any challenge without the fear of relapsing.
Keep in mind that relapse prevention is continuous. When you invest in recovery, you achieve more resilience to prevent stressors or triggers.
Moving Past the Relapse
Having a relapse may feel like a step in the wrong direction, but you also gain some growth and self-discovery. Your recovery should not be based on whether you stumble or not. It needs to be about how you recover from it and continue moving forward. By being accountable, getting support, and sharpening your recovery plan, you can turn a challenging relapse into a new beginning full of opportunity.
If you have begun to struggle with a relapse, you are not alone. Our professionals at American Treatment Network can help you rebuild your life after a relapse through our specialized programs that provide structure, encouragement, and care.
