Relapse Prevention

What is Relapse Prevention?

Relapse prevention plays a significant role in recovery and aftercare. With relapse prevention, your environment, triggers, co-existing conditions, and more are considered. These factors help tailor relapse prevention strategies specific to you and your needs, ensuring successful outcomes.

What Does It Mean to Relapse?

Relapse refers to the return to substance use after attempting to stop. It’s important to note, however, that it may be a single use or an escalation of use. 

A lapse, on the other hand, is considered a one-time use that refortifies and reinstates a person’s commitment to recovery. For example, you might take one hit at a party, realize you didn’t want to do that, and use strategies in your toolbox to cope and prevent further use. In terms of a minor lapse that reinforces healthy coping mechanisms, this can offer ways to address triggers in the future.

When it comes to relapses, it’s also worth considering that addiction is a disease. It alters the way we think, feel, and behave. Common triggers leading to relapse include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Peer pressure
• Stress
• Loneliness
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Anger
• Relationship problems
• Insomnia
• Physical settings
• Specific sights or smells

At Freedom Recovery Centers (FRC), we understand that relapse prevention involves a holistic approach, including emotional, mental, and physical considerations. Our expert team uses various techniques to help prevent relapses, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Trigger identification and management
• Mindfulness
• Aftercare plans
• Individual & Group Therapy
• Healthy lifestyle education

Each treatment plan at FRC is unique to each individual and their situation. Together, we can determine the best path forward—even when relapses happen. Your treatment plan will include relapse prevention strategies to help you achieve your goals. This plan may further include our 12-step facilitation therapies, motivational interviewing, life skill development, and more. Ultimately, we want to empower you to feel better and stick with your recovery, no matter what hurdles life presents.

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Benefits of Relapse Prevention for Addiction Recovery

By incorporating relapse prevention into each treatment plan, the FRC team hopes to equip each individual with the tools they need for success. While relapses can happen for many, knowing the tools available to you and turning to them when you need them the most can lead to various benefits, including:

Improved Self-Awareness

Through relapse prevention strategies, you become better aware of your triggers, helping you identify them when they arise. As a result, this can empower you to make healthier choices.

Stronger Coping Skills

Navigating life’s challenges is never easy. But when you have a toolkit available, you’ll know what you can do to navigate them in the best way possible. From stress to cravings, relapse prevention helps you stick with your goals and achieve lasting recovery.

Increased Confidence

The strategies learned through relapse prevention can increase your sense of control and motivate you to maintain your sobriety. This can further boost your self-confidence, leaving you feeling empowered and self-assured in your journey.

Better Emotional Stability

Learning techniques to deal with difficult emotions allows you to become less reliant on substance use as a means to cope. With relapse prevention strategies in your back pocket, you’ll know exactly how to approach triggers and challenging situations as they happen.

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Why Choose Freedom Recovery Centers

At FRC, we do things differently. We’re not just another addiction treatment “facility.” Our team truly cares, and our treatment programs go beyond traditional approaches. Our addiction center in Richmond, Virginia further offers good food, comfortable beds, a gym, a nail studio, a massage clinic, and more—giving you the opportunity to reignite joy and purpose in your life.

Our treatment plans tackle addiction from every angle. Every treatment program includes relapse prevention strategies, ensuring you are given the tools and resources you need to overcome addiction once and for all.

Whether it’s your first time or your last, the FRC team is here to help you every step of the way. We understand that getting help takes courage. But once you do reach out for help, everything starts to get better. Recovery is possible. Your journey starts here and now.

Learn More About Relapse Prevention & Overcoming Addiction With FRC

Discover a life where addiction doesn’t hold you back. With holistic care, the FRC team can work with you to overcome a substance use disorder. It’s never too late. Call us today to get started. We’re available to answer your call 24/7.

FAQs

What are some relapse prevention strategies?

Common relapse prevention strategies include:

• Mindfulness
• HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)
• Self-care
• Understanding and knowing your triggers
• Support groups
• Relaxation techniques

How do you overcome addiction relapse?

Relapse is common. As soon as it occurs, reach out for help. This may mean re-entering treatment, reaching out to your support group, or calling a trusted friend or family member. It’s also important to reflect on the relapse afterward. Why did it happen? What can you do to prevent it next time? This will help you develop a comprehensive relapse plan.

How can I create a relapse prevention plan?

At FRC, we work with you to come up with a relapse prevention plan suited to you and your needs. We consider your triggers, severity of addiction, and more, and help create an action plan for when relapses do (or may) occur. We also support you in learning healthy coping mechanisms and prevention tools to support your sobriety.