After completing a rehab program, individuals must return to their everyday lives. This can feel overwhelming and even frightening for many people.
It’s essential to create a plan for re-entering your life.
Before You Leave Rehab
Before leaving rehab, developing a comprehensive aftercare plan that will guide you through the next phase of your recovery journey is essential.
This discharge plan should include the following:
Support System
Identify friends, family members, or support groups that will provide emotional support and encouragement in your journey to maintain sobriety.
Living Arrangements
Consider a stable, drug-free living environment where you can feel safe and focus on your recovery.
Employment or Education
Pursue employment or educational opportunities to help rebuild your life and establish a purpose.
Therapy and Counseling
Continue attending individual or group therapy sessions to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to your substance abuse.
Healthy Habits
Develop healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and stress management techniques to promote overall well-being.
What is a Substance Abuse Relapse?
A substance abuse relapse is a return to substance abuse following a period of abstinence. It’s essential to recognize that relapse is not uncommon.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, relapse rates for substance use disorders are estimated to be between 40 percent and 60 percent.
This is like relapse rates for chronic illnesses like hypertension and asthma.
What are the Triggers for Relapse?
It’s also important to recognize the triggers that can lead to a relapse and learn how to manage them.
Triggers can include:
- Environmental cues, such as being around people who are using substances
- Emotional stressors like feeling lonely or overwhelmed
- Cravings for the substance
- Peer Pressure
- Fatigue
- Loneliness
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Insomnia
- Relationship issues
- Drug paraphernalia
It’s important to understand that relapse can happen even after long periods of abstinence, and it doesn’t mean you have failed.
Instead, having a relapse may be an opportunity to pause and reflect on what led to the regression and develop new strategies for managing triggers in the future.
What are the Signs of a Relapse?
Recognizing the signs of a potential relapse is critical in preventing it. Some warning signs include:
- Increased stress or anxiety
- Isolation from support networks
- Skipping therapy or support group meetings
- Romanticizing past substance use
- Encountering triggers or high-risk situations
What are Relapse Prevention Programs?
Relapse prevention programs aim to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to identify potential relapse triggers and develop coping strategies to maintain sobriety.
There are different programs, including:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps clients identify and change negative thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviors contributing to substance abuse.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT focuses on teaching individuals how to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, and improve interpersonal relationships.
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP)
MBRP combines mindfulness practices with traditional relapse prevention techniques to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.
Support group meetings (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous)
Support groups offer individuals a sense of community and guidance to help them remain sober.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
MET helps individuals increase their motivation to change substance abuse behaviors. It also teaches problem-solving and communication skills.
Family Therapy
Family therapy creates change within a family system and can support individuals in recovery.
This type of therapy teaches families how to cope with addiction-related issues.
Sober Living Homes or Transitional Housing
Sober living homes offer a supportive and safe living space for those in recovery. They promote sobriety with a structured environment that empowers independent living.
Transitional housing helps transition individuals back into society after treatment. It can offer affordability and safety along with support.
Silicon Beach Treatment Center Helps You Prepare for What Happens After Rehab Ends
Continuing care provides individuals with the tools, resources, and support they need to navigate life’s challenges post-rehab and maintain long-term sobriety.
At Silicon Beach Treatment Center, we recognize the importance of relapse prevention and offer programs tailored to our client’s needs.
Our relapse prevention experts are skilled in helping individuals identify their triggers for substance abuse, create sustainable coping strategies, and develop a comprehensive aftercare plan.
We also ensure everyone can access various community supports, including case management, sober living facilities, and support groups.
Contact us today to learn more about the relapse prevention program at Beach Treatment Center.
