What are the Benefits of Relapse Prevention Programs?

What are the Benefits of Relapse Prevention Programs?

The liver is a vital organ that we cannot live without. It serves many critical functions in the body, so when the liver is damaged due to alcoholism it can be very serious. Once someone stops drinking and sustains sobriety for an extended period, the liver can bounce back to a large extent. Learn about the signs that your liver is healing from alcohol damage and regenerating itself.

Understanding Substance Use Relapse

Once substance dependency or addiction becomes established in the brain, the addiction cycle is very difficult to overcome. Recovery involves a multi-dimensional strategy that includes detox and withdrawal, addiction treatment, and relapse prevention actions.

The impact of drugs or alcohol on the brain’s reward system is significant. Therefore, it takes time to rewire the brain, establish new behavior patterns, and break the addiction cycle. A relapse prevention program is a system that helps the individual succeed in sustaining sobriety.

Common Triggers for Relapse

Addiction recovery is an ongoing process that demands constant vigilance. The most common trigger, and most difficult to overcome, is experiencing drug or alcohol cravings.

The NIAAA groups substance cravings fall into three basic types:

• Social learning model. This model involves trigger-related cravings that may occur during or after treatment. This trigger can cue the cravings response.
• Reinforcement model. This model is based on the memory of the substance that produced an elevated mood or relieved unpleasant emotion states.
• Cognitive processing model. This model is based on the concept that substance use becomes a habit that requires little effort or attention.

In addition to cravings, there are several other common triggers that can lead to a relapse. These include:

Boredom. Too much down time can allow the mind to conjure up ideas and thoughts about using substances to relieve boredom.

1. Loneliness. In recovery, it is necessary to stop associating with prior friends who engage in substance abuse, which can result in feelings of loneliness.
2. Stress. For many, drug or alcohol use was a coping tool for managing stress. In recovery, the ability to manage stress while sober may be challenging and lead to a relapse.
3. Mental health issues. Untreated mental health challenges, like depression or anxiety, can become overwhelming in recovery without the substance to self-medicate symptoms.
4. Glamorizing substance use. After a period of sobriety, the person starts thinking they are missing out and gaslights themselves about substance use.
5. Exposure to substances. Placing oneself in the presence of people partying and using drugs and alcohol can lead to a relapse.
6. Overconfidence. After a year or so, the person tells themselves they are now able to handle just one drink.
7. Stop recovery work. Being in addiction recovery requires endurance, but some may start skipping meetings or might sever ties with a sponsor.
8. Guilt and shame. Feelings of guilt and shame about the harm they have caused others and themselves can lead them to despair and give up.

What is a Relapse Prevention Program?

A relapse prevention program is a planning tool to help individuals prepare for situations or cravings that might trigger a relapse. The goal is to maintain sobriety and move forward in recovery.

 

The relapse prevention program guides you to identify potential high-risk situations in your daily life that might contribute to a relapse. This is a critical step in securing your ability to sustain abstinence from substances.

 

While in treatment, addiction counselors or a case manager will assist you in developing your own unique relapse prevention plan. They provide a template for you to create your specific plan, and then guide you through the process. The process consists of these components:

• Identify triggers. You will spend time reflecting on the situations that you believe will be problematic to your recovery. You’ll create a list of potential triggers, mood states, people, places, or situations that could induce a relapse.
• Create a course of action. By contemplating the various triggers, you can recognize the risks or behaviors that could threaten recovery, and take action. The course of action you define will be specific to each trigger and will involve accessing coping skills acquired in treatment.

So, what are these coping skills that will strengthen your recovery and help you stay sober? There are several recovery skills to assist you, which include:

• Reach out to your sponsor or your primary support person
• Go to the gym and redirect your energy and thoughts to exercise
• Practice stress reducing techniques like deep breathing
• Go to an AA or NA meeting
• Practice mindfulness meditation
• Consider HALT (are you hungry, angry, lonely, or tired) and take action
  Connect with an online recovery forum for support
• Consider the consequences or fallout of a relapse
• Distract yourself with a home project, yard work, or anything that can help you ride out the temptation

Are you or a loved one struggling with drug or alcohol abuse?

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What are the Benefits of Relapse Prevention Strategies?

If you are wondering what are the benefits of relapse prevention programs, hopefully this section will provide the answers. Consider these benefits of a relapse prevention program:

1. You’ll be more confident in recovery. A relapse prevention plan provides structure and guardrails in recovery, which is empowering. You will feel more in control of your recovery, and more responsible for protecting it.
2. You’ll be better prepared. As you acquire coping skills and learn how and when to use them, you are better prepared when encountering triggers. As you anticipate and list your potential triggers, you’ll assign a specific coping technique to utilize when needed.
3. You’ll learn to accept support. In recovery, no man is an island. You learn to rely on others for the peer support or clinical support you will need to succeed in sustaining sobriety. Seeking support when you recognize a trigger or decreasing resolve is a core component of relapse prevention.

If you were wondering, “What are the benefits of relapse prevention programs?” you should now have a solid grasp. Don’t delay, there are addiction specialists ready to help you develop you own personal relapse prevention plan.

Bright Future Recovery Addiction Recovery and Relapse Prevention Guidance

Bright Future Recovery is committed to helping individuals overcome the grip of substance use disorder. We offer residential and virtual outpatient treatment programs to assist you in your quest to break free of substance use. Our case managers are here to help you create an effective relapse prevention plan. Call us today at (831) 245-1623.

Bright Future Recovery serves Northern and Central California with evidence-based, whole person and affordable addiction rehab treatment associated with alcohol and drug abuse. We are happy to share valuable addiction recovery information.

Detox | Residential Rehab | Outpatient Virtual IOP | Relapse Prevention

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