Relapse seems like a bad word when you consider drug and alcohol addiction treatment. It doesn’t have to be. Instead of seeing it as a failure, see it as a component of the recovery process.
Many types of diseases have high relapse rates. For example, the relapse rate for complications from asthma is nearly 70% and those with hypertension scares face an equally daunting relapse rate, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Relapse rates for those with a substance use disorder (SUD) range from 40% to 60%.
Relapse is a real threat. That doesn’t mean it has to be your future. There are many strategies for preventing addiction relapse. At English Mountain Recovery, our dedicated team of professionals in Sevierville, TN is always available to guide you when you’re facing a high-risk moment. Don’t wait to contact us for guidance.
#1. Focus on Self-Care
Self-care is not a frivolous investment. It’s what keeps you going. Your body needs support to get through the day’s challenges. When you push off the following types of self-care, the risk of relapse grows:
- Sleeping on a set schedule
- Eating healthy foods consistently
- Getting exercise of some type every day
- Having some type of social interaction each day
- Caring for your personal hygiene on a daily basis
Avoid skipping these areas and, if you haven’t done so yet, create a schedule that allows you to maintain them.
#2: Practice HALT Actions
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired, or HALT, is a trigger for you to take some action. When you’re feeling any of these, your risk of craving a substance is much higher. When you’re feeling anxious or just out of sorts, stop and think about what’s happening. Are you lonely, tired, or angry? Are you struggling with meeting your body’s nutritional needs? If you recognize these factors, take action to get help immediately.
#3: Be Ready to Talk
Communication isn’t an option in addiction recovery. You can choose who you communicate with and turn to for support and guidance, but you always need someone to be there. That’s not easy, especially as life continues to be busy and people lack the time. Create a list of your go-to network. These are people whom you can talk to at any time when you need them the most. And then, call them. Text them. Don’t put off talking.
#4: Engage in Meditation
Meditation doesn’t require a lot of time to be helpful. It requires consistency. By meditating for a few minutes every day, you become more self-aware. You recognize what’s fueling the way you feel or the negative thoughts you’re experiencing. In realizing that, you can then take the necessary steps to heal.
#5: Consider Your Mental Health
You may be facing a wide range of intense moments and thoughts recently. You may be unsure what is occurring. A high percentage of people with SUD also suffer from mental health disorders, and both require treatment. We call these co-occurring disorders. If you’re feeling a renewed sense of anxiety that’s hard to control, or you spend more days than others feeling helpless and depressed, it’s time to seek out additional support. We’re here to help you with treatment.
#6: Engage in a New Foundation of Healing
In some situations, it can be valuable to explore a new type of healing and holistic wellbeing. You may need a new way to express yourself and your emotions. Explore a new way of getting to the core of your concerns. For example, you may want to explore fitness therapy or equine interaction therapy. You may want to use this opportunity to explore music or yoga. There’s no limit to what you can do. The goal is to use a program geared towards those in addiction recovery to get the best out of the program.
#7: Enroll in Relapse Prevention
A core component of the care we provided at English Mountain is a comprehensive relapse prevention program. It’s the ability to provide our clients with the tools and steps they need at critical moments to get the care they deserve. If you are facing the thought of using a substance again, do not wait any longer to contact us for immediate guidance.
Take the Time Now to Get Help
English Mountain Recovery is passionate about providing individuals with the type and level of care they need whenever there’s a concern. If you’re thinking about using substances again or feeling cravings, do not hesitate to seek out the guidance our team can offer to you. Call us now for immediate help.
