Part of creating a new life in recovery is finding time to relax. The growth stage is about developing skills that individuals may have never learned and that predisposed them to addiction . The repair stage of recovery was about catching up, and the growth stage is about moving forward. Clinical experience has shown that this stage usually starts 3 to 5 years after individuals have stopped using drugs or alcohol and is a lifetime path. A trigger is something that can cause stress and potentially induce cravings to drink or use drugs. They may be caused by certain events, places, people, or circumstances. For instance, you may frequent certain places where you always drink beer with your buddies, and these people and/or places may need to be avoided, at least for a while.

• Although every person’s strategy will be different, the following five components should be a part of any solid relapse prevention plan.
• Yet, it does give you the tools you need to combat them effectively.
• You can revisit what you learned in the 12-step programs and evaluate their place.
• When you feel strong and you’re motivated to not use, then tell yourself that you won’t use for the next week or the next month.
• They often assume that non-addicts don’t have the same problems or experience the same negative emotions.

On the other hand, you must also make an effort to remove yourself from social situations or harmful relationships that may serve as a trigger. Whether it’s a friend you used to use drugs with or an ex-girlfriend who simply can’t enjoy a night out without a drink—these types of relationships are toxic to your sobriety goals. If a relapse happens, it’s not the end of your recovery journey. Additionally, just because you have a https://ecosoberhouse.com/, doesn’t mean you will relapse. It just helps minimize the damage and quickly get you back on track if you do.

Key Components of a Relapse Prevention Plan

Whereas before we responded to the mortgage payment with drinking or irritability, we would now replace it with a new routine like calling our sponsor or going for a run. The benefits and rewards of healthy routines will naturally arise and reinforce our new behavior. If we cannot find the benefit or reward, it’s time to look at a new response or routine. Over time, these habits will quicken our calm and support our sobriety. If you or a loved one needs a relapse recovery plan or have relapsed and need help, our team here at CNV Detox can help you get back on track. Our treatment staff has the training and experience to help someone with their first time attending or for continued treatment therapy.

Occasional, brief thoughts of using are normal in early recovery and are different from mental relapse. They feel they are doing something wrong and that they have let themselves and their families down. relapse prevention plan They are sometimes reluctant to even mention thoughts of using because they are so embarrassed by them. If you haven’t already created one, ask your support group counselor to help you make one today.

Get Help For Substance Dependence and Prevention at Sana Lake Recovery Center

The purpose of this rule is to remind individuals not to resist or sabotage change by insisting that they do recovery their way. A simple test of whether a person is bending the rules is if they look for loopholes in recovery. A warning sign is when clients ask for professional help and consistently ignore the advice.

• A relapse prevention plan is important because relapse is, unfortunately, a possibility.
• More often than not, there are deeper underlying causes of substance use disorder.
• Clients struggling with addiction or co-occurring disorders are encouraged to attend community-based self-help groups daily and secure a sponsor.
• Since recovery is not a linear process, it has its ups and downs, and relapse can be one of them.
• Remind yourself of the negative consequences you’ve already suffered, and the potential consequences that lie around the corner if you relapse again.

When we practice mindfulness and grow familiar with the reoccurring thoughts that trigger us, we can make a game plan around them. If we sit and listen to our thoughts and notice a strong reaction to specific feelings or thoughts, we can now add those to our trigger list.