Relapse is part of recovery for many people. While it’s not inevitable, there is a high risk of relapse among people recovering from severe drug and alcohol use disorders, especially in the early stages. Relapse is also more likely to occur in individuals who do not have a strong support system at home and did not receive aftercare support from a rehab facility. Our Clearbrook rehab offers guidance and additional support through our relapse prevention program for addiction to ensure that our clients have everything they need during and after their treatment.

What’s a Relapse?

Relapse is a term often used in medical settings regarding certain conditions as well as in the addiction recovery community. Generally speaking, relapse is defined as a deterioration in a person’s state of health after a period of improvement. When applied to drug or alcohol addiction, relapse can be defined as the return to substance abuse or other addictive behaviors following a period of abstinence.

A drug or alcohol relapse is unfortunately common among individuals who are in recovery. Relapse can be frustrating for both the individual and their loved ones. Considering the many consequences of drug and alcohol use, many can’t help but wonder why addicts relapse. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Boredom
  • Cravings
  • Financial problems
  • Mental illness
  • Places that remind the individual of substance abuse
  • Poor self-care
  • Relationship problems
  • Spending time with people who encourage drug or alcohol use
  • Stress
  • Unsupportive loved ones
  • Withdrawal symptoms

Remember that relapse can occur in anyone and doesn’t mean that treatment has failed or that the individual has failed. Rather, it brings light to unaddressed problems that are preventing the individual from moving forward in recovery.

Setting up a relapse prevention plan with professionals can help people in addiction recovery avoid falling back into substance abuse. Our relapse prevention program can be utilized to identify an imminent relapse and avoid the possibility of it occurring in the future.

Signs of Relapse

An individual’s relapse triggers and warning signs are unique and may manifest themselves in various ways. By looking out for the common warning signs of relapse, you can potentially prevent your loved ones from taking a few steps back in their sobriety.

Signs to look out for include:

  • A lack of attendance at recovery meetings or they stop going to recovery meetings
  • Lessened communication with other people in recovery
  • Extreme changes in behavior (mood swings, irritability, aggression)
  • Secretive behavior
  • Self-isolation
  • Spending time with old friends and associates
  • Staying out for long periods or days at a time
  • They seek out friends who used to influence their addiction
  • They start romanticizing substance abuse
  • They stop doing things that helped them stay sober
  • They stop meeting with their sponsor
  • Their past behaviors begin to appear

With the proper relapse prevention strategies in place, anyone in recovery can avoid backtracking. If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, consider reaching out to our Northeast addictions treatment center to learn more about our relapse prevention programs in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Relapse Prevention Planning & Treatment

A relapse in recovery from addiction can be difficult for everyone involved. This includes the individual, their family members, their friends, their co-workers, and their other support systems. Without a plan set in place, recovering addicts may be at a higher risk of returning to their old ways.

In cases where relapse has occurred, it doesn’t mean that the work you put into your recovery was a waste of time. Do not let relapse detract from the things you accomplished throughout your recovery. While it may seem like an uphill battle, a mistake made can serve as a lesson.

At both Clearbrook Pennsylvania and Clearbrook Massachusetts, we know the struggles associated with relapse. This is why we have programs dedicated to helping our clients prepare for recovery. In these programs, clients work individually and in groups with our counselors to learn more about relapse triggers, how to develop a routine after rehab, and the various coping skills for relapse prevention they can utilize in their day-to-day lives after treatment.

Clients who opt to join our alumni program will have access to sponsors and other services to help them stay on track as they adjust to a new lifestyle. Additionally, further support is offered through our 12-step meetings.

Finding a Relapse Prevention Program Near Me

At Clearbrook Treatment Centers, we specialize in relapse treatment and prevention, in addition to residential addiction treatment for drugs and alcohol and psychotherapy for recovery. With the use of a relapse treatment plan, our patients can learn to recognize the source of their relapse and how to prevent it in the future. Our staff of licensed professionals can also help you or a loved one identify any relapse triggers or warning signs ahead of time to prevent relapse from occurring.

When relapse does occur, it’s important for the individual and their loved ones to remember that the story does not need to end there. Relapsing can be discouraging, but it’s important to consider it a setback and not the final word in the recovery journey. While this can be a complex scenario, the addict can recover with professional support.

As a Northeast addictions treatment center, we understand that each patient is different, and their treatments should be as well. With customized programming and specialized therapeutic approaches, we teach quality relapse treatment and life skills that can help our patients in their sobriety journey.

To learn more about our relapse prevention program and other addiction treatment services, contact Clearbrook Treatment Centers today.

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