Keeping Relapses at Bay

Relapses for people with addictions are a harsh reality. The possibility can come at any time. There are times when it seems inevitable after a period of stress or trauma. In other situations, it can take place almost without the individual being even aware of it. 

Therapy or counseling groups are an integral part of outpatient or inpatient rehab programs at Alcohol Rehab Austin, TX, dedicated to helping you live a sober life. Relapse seems completely out of the question. Nevertheless, preventing relapse is an important topic to address after completing your addiction recovery program. 

Here are a few relapse prevention approaches you may want to consider.

  • Enter a detoxification facility

An individual dependent on medications or liquor by and large encounters withdrawal manifestations that are awkward, excruciating, and in some cases perilous in the primary a few days. It will be difficult for you to achieve sobriety unless you receive the right support and medical care.

While you undergo withdrawal, you can receive medical care at a medical detox facility. As withdrawal symptoms emerge, you will be treated by a medical team to ensure your safety and comfort.

It is best not to go through withdrawal by yourself if you can not get to a detox facility. For instance, a severe form of seizures often occurs with alcohol withdrawal. It is therefore crucial to be with someone who can get you medical attention if necessary.

  • Be aware of your triggers

The underlying causes of addiction are profoundly rooted in the contextual factors surrounding them. In order to understand how your treatment program will work, you have to recognize that all of the things that led to substance abuse will still exist after treatment. Rehabilitation is not about getting rid of triggers; it’s about developing tools and skills to better deal with them.

In order to effectively handle these triggers, you must be able to identify them and develop healthy responses to them. Often you can simply avoid the triggers, such as not spending time with someone you used to associate with drugs, or not frequenting the bar where you used to drink too much.

  • Recognize the Relapse Process

Contrary to popular belief, relapse does not happen at once. Depending on how long it takes, it can be as few as a couple of hours to as long as months together. 

Taking the relapse process rather than the event approach will help you figure out what you need to do in the emotional relapse phase, long before you have the physical relapse.

  • Take Advantage Of Aftercare Services

After completion of treatment programs, many inpatient and some outpatient addiction rehab facilities offer comprehensive aftercare services. Following a procedure, a facility may offer the following types of aftercare:

  1. An emergency support line available 24/7 in case of relapse.
  2. Monitoring the way you are transitioning to post-rehab life through regular check-in sessions
  3. You may also be referred to counseling providers and other addiction treatment programs near you
  4. Individual, family and friends education sessions
  • Plan Ahead

A relapse is something no one wants to think about after exiting rehab, but in some cases, it is crucial to have a plan ready if it does happen. At every stage of relapse, the plan should incorporate measures such as the following:

  1. To ensure that you are doing well by visiting or calling a friend or family member
  2. When you feel you are starting to spiral into emotional relapse, you can rely on a close friend or family member to stay with you
  3. You can call upon them at any time if you need assistance getting to Alcohol and Drug rehab in Austin, TX whenever you feel the need to during your relapse process.