Tag: Chronic Relapse

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Overcoming Relapse: Holistic Strategies for Staying on Track: Janelle Salo

Understanding Relapse

Relapse1 is when you slip back into old habits after working hard to change, and it can feel like taking two steps back after one step forward. But here’s the thing: it’s a normal part of growth, and every stumble teaches you something new about how to keep moving forward.

Relapse can feel like a setback, but it doesn’t erase all the progress you’ve made. Instead, it’s an opportunity to reflect, adjust, and grow even stronger in your recovery journey.

Importance of Holistic Approaches in Managing Setbacks

Holistic approaches2 mean focusing on all parts of you. Your mind, body, and emotions so you can tackle setbacks in a balanced way. It’s not just about fixing one problem; it’s about building a healthy, sustainable lifestyle that makes you feel good inside and out.

By combining things like mindfulness, exercise, healthy eating, and support from others, you can create a plan that helps you bounce back and stay on track. These strategies don’t just help with recovery, they make you stronger and more prepared for the future.

Recognizing the Signs of an Impending Relapse

Relapse often starts with small warning signs, like feeling more stressed, avoiding responsibilities, or losing interest in the things you love. Paying attention to these changes early can help you take action before things get out of control.

It’s like catching a storm before it hits. You can prepare and protect yourself if you know what to look for. Being aware of your emotions and habits is the first step in staying on track.

Differentiating Between a Lapse and a Full Relapse

A lapse is a one-time slip, like making a mistake or giving in to a moment of weakness, while a full relapse is falling back into old habits completely. A lapse doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it’s more like a bump in the road that you can overcome.

Think of it as the difference between tripping over a step and falling down an entire flight of stairs. A lapse is a chance to pause, reflect, and refocus before things escalate.

Emotional, Social, and Environmental Factors that can Trigger Relapse

  • Emotional triggers like stress3, sadness, or boredom can make it harder to stick to your goals. 
  • Social triggers, like being around certain people who encourage bad habits, a family member or an old friend may also cause a relapse.
  • Environmental triggers, like being in places linked to old behaviors, can also pull you off track.

Understanding what triggers you helps you prepare for those moments and create a plan to handle them. The more you know about what challenges you, the stronger you’ll be in overcoming them.

The Role of Mindfulness in Preventing Relapse

How Mindfulness Helps Build Self-Awareness and Emotional Resilience

Mindfulness is like a superpower that helps you notice what you’re thinking and feeling without getting stuck on it. By staying in the moment, you can understand your emotions better and handle tough situations without letting them overwhelm you.

It also makes you stronger emotionally, so when life gets hard, you can bounce back faster and stay in control. Practicing mindfulness4 is like training your brain to be your best teammate!

Meditation, Journaling, and Breathing Exercises

  • Meditation can be as simple as sitting quietly for a few minutes, focusing on your breath, and letting your thoughts come and go. It’s a quick way to reset your mind when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
  • Journaling is like having a conversation with yourself.  You can write down your thoughts and feelings to make sense of them and go back and review them later if you’re feeling a relapse coming on.
  • Breathing exercises, like slow, deep breaths, are an easy trick to calm down when stress hits, even in the middle of work, class or at home.

Nutrition and Relapse Prevention

The Connection Between Diet and Emotional Stability

What you eat can have a huge impact on how you feel5. Junk food and sugary snacks might give you a quick boost, but they often leave you feeling tired later.

On the other hand, eating a balanced diet with healthy foods keeps your energy steady and helps you handle stress better. Think of food as fuel for both your body and your brain.

Foods That Boost Mood and Reduce Cravings

Foods like bananas, nuts, and dark chocolate (in moderation) can improve your mood6 because they’re packed with nutrients like magnesium and serotonin7 boosters. Whole grains, fruits, and veggies also help keep your blood sugar stable, which means fewer cravings and mood swings.

Drinking water is super important too. It keeps you hydrated and focused. When you feed your body the right stuff, it’s easier to stay happy and in control.

The Role of Hydration in Maintaining Mental and Physical Balance

Staying hydrated is like giving your brain and body the fuel they need to work properly. When you’re dehydrated, you might feel cranky, or have trouble focusing, which can throw off your whole day.

Drinking enough water helps keep your energy up, your mood steady, and your mind sharp8. It’s a simple habit that makes a big difference in feeling your best. The average adult should drink between 2-3 liters of water9 per day. Once you develop the “good habit” of getting your water intake in, you will start to notice a change in how you feel and look!

Building a Supportive Environment

The Importance of Social Connections in Recovery

Having people who support you makes a huge difference when you’re trying to stay on track. Friends, family, or even just one trusted person can encourage you, listen when you’re struggling, and remind you that you’re not alone.

Recovery is easier when you have a team cheering you on10. Positive connections help you feel stronger, motivated, and understood.

Finding Support Groups or Accountability Partners

  • Support groups help connect you with people who’ve been through similar struggles and really get what you’re going through. 
  • An accountability partner, like a friend, family member or mentor, can check in with you, celebrate your wins, and help you stay focused on your goals.

Having someone to talk to makes the journey feel less overwhelming. It’s always easier to stick to your goals when you’re not doing it alone!

Removing Triggers From Your Living Space or Daily Routine

Your environment can make or break your recovery, so it’s important to get rid of things that tempt you to fall back into old habits. Whether it’s clearing out unhealthy snacks, avoiding certain apps, or rearranging your space, little changes can have a huge impact.

Creating a positive, supportive space helps you feel more in control and focused. When your surroundings match your goals, it’s easier to stay on track!

Physical Activity and Recovery

Exercise as a Tool for Stress Management 

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins11, natural mood lifters that help reduce stress and make you feel happier12. Whether you’re playing sports, running, or just dancing around your room, moving your body can be a great way to shake off bad vibes and stay positive.

Types of Physical Activities that Support Holistic Recovery

There are so many ways to stay active that can help your overall recovery, like yoga, swimming, or even hiking in nature. These activities not only keep your body healthy but also calm your mind and boost your emotional well-being.

How Consistency in Movement Can Reinforce Staying on Track

Sticking to a regular exercise routine helps build good habits that keep you focused and disciplined. When you make movement a part of your daily life, it becomes easier to stay on track with your goals and handle whatever challenges come your way.

The Importance of Self-Compassion

Reframing Relapse as a Learning Opportunity

Instead of seeing relapse as a failure, try to view it as a chance to learn more about yourself and what triggered the setback13. Each time you slip up, you get a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, helping you come back even stronger.

Forgiving Yourself and Maintaining Motivation

It’s important to remember that everyone makes mistakes.  Don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Forgiving yourself helps you move forward without guilt, and staying motivated means focusing on your progress rather than perfection.

Setting Realistic Goals and Celebrating Small Victories

Setting small, achievable goals helps you stay focused and gives you a sense of accomplishment along the way. Celebrating those little wins, whether it’s a week of good habits or handling a tough situation, keeps you motivated and reminds you how far you’ve come.

Final Thought

Emphasizing the Journey of Progress Over Perfection

Recovery isn’t about being perfect; it’s about making steady progress and learning from each experience. Even if it’s not perfect, every small step forward gets you closer to your goal.

Encouragement to Seek Help and Use Holistic Strategies

Don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way whether it’s from friends, family, or professionals. 

Holistic strategies like mindfulness, exercise, and healthy eating can support you in ways that go beyond just the physical, helping you thrive mentally and emotionally, too.

Every Step Forward, No Matter How Small, Is Progress

It’s easy to get caught up in big goals, but remember that every tiny step counts. Even the smallest victories, like sticking to a routine or staying calm in a stressful moment, are proof that you’re moving in the right direction!

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Mastering Relapse Prevention Planning: Your Guide to Sustained Recovery

Addiction recovery is a journey that extends beyond initial treatment, involving continuous commitment and proactive planning. Relapse prevention planning helps maintain long-term recovery by identifying potential triggers and creating actionable responses. This approach strengthens recovery for substance use disorders, behavioral addictions, mental health concerns, and other conditions. 

Our comprehensive guide outlines relapse prevention planning’s key components and practical steps for creating and implementing an effective plan.

Understanding Relapse Prevention

Relapse prevention planning helps people in recovery avoid relapse—which means using substances after a period of abstaining or reverting to unhealthy habits and thought patterns in mental disorders. Relapse prevention is a critical component in managing conditions1 like major depressive disorder, anorexia nervosa, substance use disorders, and other medical conditions. 

Relapse doesn’t always occur overnight. There are complex signs and precursory emotional, mental, and physical phases2. Emotional relapse begins with anxiety, anger, or isolation. Mental relapse involves cravings, minimizing consequences of the past, bargaining, lying, and planning a relapse. Then, the physical relapse happens: drinking again, refusing to eat, lapsing into a severe depressive state, etc. 

Not everyone in recovery will relapse, but it is often a part of the recovery process3—and that’s okay. Relapse prevention can help you address these obstacles and keep you on the right track.

Relapse prevention planning aims to recognize and address these signals before they escalate to the physical stage. It utilizes a cognitive behavioral approach to prevent a relapse and provide appropriate skills on what to do if a relapse does occur. Relapse prevention is usually a combination of education, coping strategy development, trigger identification, building support networks, and lifestyle changes. Each plan is tailored to meet personal needs.

The Components of a Relapse Prevention Plan

An effective relapse prevention plan covers multiple life facets. Essential components of a relapse prevention4 include:

  • Identifying triggers: Internal and external cues can be emotional (such as stress or anger), physical (such as fatigue), or environmental (such as certain social situations or locations). Recognizing these helps in strategizing how to manage or avoid them.
  • Coping skills: Effective coping strategies can help you deal with triggers before they cause a relapse. These strategies could include skills like deep breathing, mindfulness, or other stress management techniques. Additionally, you’ll learn skills to refuse offers of drugs or alcohol and strategies to escape high-risk situations.
  • Enhancing self-efficacy: Throughout relapse prevention planning, you are encouraged to make choices and contribute ideas to your recovery actively. Your care team may emphasize that recovery is not about willpower but rather skills acquisition. Empowerment from professionals can help you take charge of your future and well-being, fostering sustainable recovery. 
  • Psychoeducation: Understanding the nature of addiction, mental health disorders, and relapse, including its biological, psychological, and social aspects, helps in managing it effectively. 
  • Healthy routine: Maintaining daily healthy routines supports overall well-being and reduces the likelihood of relapse. You’ll find balance in regular exercise, a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, and engaging in healthy, sober hobbies. 
  • Support systems: You and your therapist will create a plan to build a support network that includes friends, family, clinical professionals, and support groups. This network provides emotional support, accountability, and a safety net in times of crisis.
  • Emergency plan: If you feel close to relapsing, your care team can help you create a detailed emergency plan. This plan will outline who to contact, where to go for help, and what steps to follow to stay safe.

Recovery is an ongoing process, so having the right tools can help you manage addiction or mental health conditions. Sustainable healing is built by small, everyday efforts.

Building Your Personal Relapse Prevention Plan

Creating a tailored relapse prevention plan involves a detailed, personalized approach. 

Reflect on Your Recovery Goals

You’ll want to begin planning by writing about 3 key recovery components: 

  1. Reflect on your recovery history. In treatment, what worked and what didn’t work? If you’ve relapsed before, what led to it? What were your triggers before you got treatment? Learn from mistakes of the past to make a realistic relapse prevention plan.
  2. Write down personal, relationship, and employment goals to highlight situations you want to be in and people you want to be around. 
  3. Identify your triggers—all the people, places, and things that could cause stress. Developing coping strategies for each trigger can empower you to live life without fear.

Coping Skill Development

There may be times when you experience uncomfortable feelings and situations; however, with the right tools, you can navigate through these moments. You may practice coping techniques such as breathing exercises, regulating emotions through journaling, saying “no” to situations that do not serve your recovery, and exercise. This can help you walk into any situation with confidence. 

Continuing Therapeutic Care

Attending outpatient care or talk therapy sessions can help you navigate foreign situations and continue skill-building. During individual therapy sessions, you’ll likely engage in various therapeutic methods like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). 

You may also participate in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) / Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and SMART Recovery. Peer support from those with similar experiences can maintain motivation in recovery5. Those healing from mental health concerns can find community in National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) support groups.

Structured Routine

Creating a daily routine that promotes physical and mental health, including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep, can bolster sustainable recovery6. A scheduling system, such as time blocking in a calendar, can help you avoid idle time that might lead to thoughts or behaviors associated with relapse.

Support Systems

Creating a support network with strong relationships is a foundational aspect of long-lasting recovery. Social support in recovery can reduce stress, increase self-efficacy, and motivate sobriety or remission7. Your relapse prevention plan can detail how you will connect with loved ones who supported you through the treatment process. You may make new friends through sober activities and groups. Try your best to plan regular get-togethers with friends and family, as avoiding isolation and bolstering these relationships can make recovery easier. 

“The opposite of addiction is connection.” –  Johann Hari

Emergency Plan and Contacts

In case of emergency, have a clear plan with proactive steps, such as calling a specific person, attending a support group meeting, or going to a safe place. You can keep a list of emergency contacts, including supportive friends, family, and healthcare providers.

Implementing Your Plan

A relapse prevention plan can be broken down into small, manageable steps. You can begin each day with a consistent morning routine that includes healthy, pro-recovery activities such as meditation, reading, exercising, or journaling. This sets a proactive, positive tone for the day and reinforces your commitment to recovery.

You can keep a daily planner and include time slots for activities that support your recovery, such as therapy sessions, support group meetings, or time with friends and family. Planning helps manage stress and avoids the chaos that can lead to relapse. Your planner can also help you track exercise, meals, and sleep.

Stay connected with your support network through regular check-ins via phone calls, texts, or in-person meetings. These connections provide strength and accountability, crucial for everyday recovery maintenance.

At the end of each day, spend time reflecting. Assess what went well and identify any challenges you encountered. Use this reflection to adapt your plan and prepare for the next day.

Monitoring Progress and Making Adjustments

All progress should be tracked and celebrated. You can have regular check-ins with yourself and your care team to ensure you’re engaging in activities that suit your current recovery needs. What may have worked in the beginning of your recovery might not serve you years down the road. Try writing answers each month for questions such as:

  1. What were your main goals when you created your relapse prevention plan? How well do you feel these goals are being met?
  2. In what ways have you changed since leaving primary treatment? Consider your habits, thought patterns, emotional responses, and relationships.
  3. What are the most significant challenges you’ve faced during your recovery process, and how have you addressed them? How has your relapse prevention plan supported you in these challenges?
  4. What new coping strategies or skills have you learned through your relapse prevention plan? How effectively are you able to apply these in real-life situations?
  5. In what areas do you feel you still need to grow or improve? How can your relapse prevention plan or other resources assist you in these areas?

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Relapse prevention planning aims to provide useful tools for navigating difficult moments in recovery. Anticipating potential obstacles and feeling confident in your ability to manage them can help you move through life optimistically. 

Often, those in recovery may feel overwhelmed at social gatherings, holidays, or certain places because they trigger cravings or old behaviors. One of the best ways to manage this is by simply choosing not to attend the event; however, this is not always possible. You can plan ahead by bringing a supportive friend, having an exit strategy, and preparing responses to offers of substances.

Uncomfortable emotions, such as stress and loneliness, are a part of life, and implementing skills from your relapse prevention plan can help mitigate the impact of these feelings. You may find engaging in mindfulness and relaxation exercises like meditation and box breathing helpful. Consistent exercise can help reduce negative emotions8 and the chance of relapse. Keeping in touch with supportive friends and family can help ensure you always have a shoulder to lean on.

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Sometimes, it’s challenging to explain to new friends why you choose to abstain from drugs and alcohol. This can happen with long-time friends and family members, as well. If this person ignores your reasoning and continues to pressure you, this may signify that they do not care for your well-being as much as you do. It can be hard to distance yourself from others but know that there are people who will support your recovery efforts. And a true loved one will only want you to engage in activities that benefit your health.  

Communicating Boundaries to Your Support Network

Setting and communicating boundaries in recovery is important for your relationships and a practice of self-love. Without boundaries, you may say “yes” to things you don’t want to, avoid necessary conversations, and be consumed by others’ negative feelings. Prioritizing your boundaries ensures that you’re aligned with what’s best for your well-being.

Before communicating with others, take time to understand your own needs and boundaries. What specific support do you need? What behaviors or situations are helpful or harmful to your recovery? Being clear about these will help you articulate them more effectively to others.

Clarity is an act of kindness, so be honest and straightforward in these conversations with your loved ones. You can frame the conversation around “I” statements to express your feelings and needs without blaming others. For example, say “I feel overwhelmed when we talk about drinking at parties, and I need us to focus on other topics,” instead of accusing or blaming them. 

Stay consistent with your boundaries; this will help others respect them. Be sure to let loved ones know that you appreciate their trust. You can also encourage an open dialogue by asking for their thoughts and feelings about your recovery process. This can strengthen the relationship and make them feel involved and valued in your journey.

Ongoing Recovery and Maintenance

Maintaining recovery motivation is possible through small, concerted everyday efforts. It’s often easier to break down long-term goals into more manageable chunks, such as committing to a weekly support meeting and exercising 5x weekly. A recovery journal can document your thoughts, feelings, challenges, and successes. Reviewing your journal can visualize how far you’ve come and remind you why you started this journey.

A structured daily routine with adequate rest, proper nutrition, and movement can provide stability and reduce uncertainty. This can help manage stress and avoid situations where one might be tempted to relapse.

You can also learn new skills or hobbies to occupy your time, build self-esteem, and provide a sense of accomplishment. These new activities can serve as positive outlets for stress and boredom.

A day of sobriety is a day worth being celebrated! The effort to choose your health and well-being every day is a great feat, so continue to reflect and pride yourself on your hard work.

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How to Help Someone Who Has Relapsed on Drugs or Alcohol

Relapse involves drinking alcohol or using drugs again after abstinence or successful recovery. Like other chronic diseases, addiction relapse is always possible. Relapse can happen at any time in the recovery process, including early stages or even after long periods of sobriety.

When relapse does happen, your loved one will need all the support you can provide. If you know someone who has relapsed, there are ways you can help. Your help can make a big difference in their life. Browse rehabs specializing in chronic relapse to give you an idea of how to help your loved one continue their recovery journey.

Understanding Relapse

In addiction recovery, relapse can often be part of the overall process rather than a failure. Addiction is a chronic condition,1 and relapse does not mean that your loved one’s recovery is impossible. Instead, relapse provides an opportunity for learning and growth. 

This journey can help them identify triggers and areas that need attention in their recovery. Be aware of these common things that trigger relapse:

  • Environmental cues: Specific locations, objects, smells, or even certain people associated with their previous substance use can be powerful triggers.
  • Co-occurring disorders: People with addiction often have underlying mental health conditions2 such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. If these co-occurring disorders are not properly addressed and treated, they can significantly increase the risk of relapse.
  • Stress: High levels of stress can weaken their ability to cope and make them more vulnerable to relapse.
  • Unhealthy coping mechanisms: If they haven’t developed healthy and effective coping mechanisms to deal with stress, manage emotions, or solve problems, your loved one might resort to their addictive behaviors as a way to cope with stressors.

Recognizing Signs of Relapse

Signs of addiction relapse can manifest in various ways, depending on the individual and their specific addiction. Here are some common signs to be aware of, so you can hopefully address this issue early on:

  • Behavior changes: They may become secretive, defensive, or dishonest. They may also isolate themselves, withdraw from social activities, or show a lack of interest in things they used to enjoy.
  • Mood swings: Emotional instability, mood swings, and irritability are common signs of relapse. They might also be anxious, depressed, or angry.
  • Justification: If they’re on the verge of relapse, they may begin to rationalize their drinking or drug use again. 
  • Reconnecting with old using friends: Reconnecting with old friends who are still drinking or doing drugs is a red flag.
  • Loss of interest in recovery: A noticeable loss of interest or commitment to recovery can be an indicator of relapse. They might stop attending therapy or support group meetings or disregard their relapse prevention plan.

Communicating with Your Loved One About Their Relapse

Sometimes, it just takes the right person to help someone kick start their recovery. So when you’re helping your loved one through their relapse, work on showing empathy. Active listening without judgment can help them feel supported. Having a reliable ally can make a huge impact.

When having these conversations, timing is everything. First, make sure the person you are talking to is not under the influence of any substances during these conversations. Next, have conversations with this person in a calm and safe atmosphere. This will allow them to feel more relaxed and comfortable discussing their thoughts and feelings.

Blaming or criticizing them for their relapse can create defensiveness and hinder open communication. Instead, emphasize your support and understanding. Let them know that relapse doesn’t define their worth or undo the progress they’ve made so far.

Providing Emotional Support

Relapse can bring feelings of shame and guilt. Emotional support provides a safe space for your loved one to express their emotions and experiences without judgment. Feeling understood can help them recognize that they are not alone in their struggles. Sometimes, people just need to be heard without receiving immediate advice or solutions.

Creating a supportive and non-enabling environment for someone in addiction recovery is crucial for their well-being. After educating yourself on addiction and the recovery process, you can create a caring home for your loved one to come back to. You can also support them by adopting a healthy lifestyle that complements their recovery. Encourage regular exercise, nutritious eating, and adequate sleep. Offer to participate in activities together that provide alternative outlets for stress and anxiety.

Be mindful of enabling behaviors that inadvertently support their addiction. This can include providing financial support for their unhealthy lifestyle, making excuses for their behavior, or covering up the consequences of their actions. Instead, focus on supporting their recovery and encouraging self-sufficiency. And celebrate milestones because recognizing their progress reinforces their commitment and boosts their self-esteem.

Assisting With Treatment and Recovery

While relapse can be common, it’s still a tricky situation that requires immediate attention. After you talk to your loved one, and they agree to get treatment, you can help them find the best treatment for their needs. 

Whether this is their first relapse or not, residential rehab may be in the cards for them. Here, your loved one can separate from triggers and distractions in their day-to-day life and focus on recovery. They’ll likely participate in a variety of evidence-based therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This will help them change any unhealthy thought patterns or behaviors that might’ve contributed to their relapse. And many rehab centers will offer holistic therapies and activities, like yoga, to help them connect their mind and body. 

Ongoing care will be important for your loved one. Outpatient treatment can help them transition back home while still providing some structure. They’ll continue building vital coping skills for stress and negative feelings, without using substances. And outpatient programs allow them to go to school or work. This is a great option for those who cannot fully give up those commitments.

Reconnecting with support networks, such as support groups or 12-Step programs like AA or NA, can be a helpful piece of their journey, too. You can even offer to help them find these groups or attend them, too, if they feel comfortable with that. Being part of a supportive community can provide valuable insights, encouragement, and accountability during the recovery process. And they can lean on others for support who have been in similar circumstances.

Setting Boundaries

Boundaries can help maintain a healthy relationship dynamic and prevent enabling behaviors. For example, you can express that you won’t participate in activities or situations that enable their addiction, but you’ll support their recovery efforts. You can encourage their recovery efforts by helping them find appropriate treatment, celebrating milestones, and staying consistent with your support. Boundaries help create a healthy and balanced dynamic while providing a framework for sustainable progress.

Not only is setting boundaries during their recovery important for your loved one, but this is also essential for you. Supporting someone in addiction recovery can be emotionally demanding. Take care of yourself by setting healthy boundaries, seeking support from others, and practicing self-care. Your own well-being is crucial to being an effective support system.

Dealing with Relapse Triggers

Identifying addiction relapse triggers is an important step in relapse prevention. You can find these by:

  • Paying attention to your loved one’s emotional cues (like mood swings)
  • Recognizing high-risk situations (their stressors)
  • Reflecting on their past relapses (what triggered them in the past?)

Developing healthy coping strategies can ease the impact of their triggers. For a while, drinking alcohol or using drugs was your loved one’s coping strategy, even though it was an unhealthy one. Finding positive ways to deal with stress can prevent a trigger from greatly affecting them.

Prevention is much easier than dealing with the after effects of relapse. You can help your loved one create a relapse prevention plan to maintain long-term recovery. This might include being aware of triggers, developing healthy coping mechanisms, building a support network, and making lifestyle changes.

Encouraging Continued Recovery

Your loved one will deal with uncomfortable feelings and situations for the rest of their life, just like all of us do. Creating sustainable habits to manage discomfort is key during their journey.

Motivation to continue their recovery comes from not only within, but also from others around them. Sometimes, they’ll need a “pick me up” from you or someone else, and that’s okay. The support network your loved one will build requires effort and reciprocity. Nurturing these relationships involves active listening, offering encouragement, and celebrating each other’s successes.

Recovery is a journey, and with the right support and treatment, your loved one can continue moving forward toward sustainable sobriety. Recovery is, in fact, possible. Explore centers that specialize in treating chronic relapse to open up new doors for you and your loved one.

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Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Relapse

When you start addiction recovery, sobriety might be your primary goal. But getting there isn’t easy—and staying sober can be even harder. It’s common for people to relapse after residential rehab. And if that happens more than once, you might need treatment for chronic relapse.

What Is Chronic Relapse?

According to the team at Phoenix Rising Recovery, “the overall relapse rate for substance use disorders is between 40% to 60%.”1 And relapse rates for addiction and other chronic medical illnesses are actually very similar.2 Many experts believe this is a normal part of recovery.

Relapse means different things to different people. For example, a person in treatment for cocaine addiction might continue to drink socially. Or, they might view any substance use—including the use of prescribed medication—as a form of relapse. Whatever your recovery goals are, chronic relapse interrupts your progress over and over again.

This isn’t a moral failing. Addiction and relapse have direct impacts on your brain chemistry. And data suggests that the more you relapse, the more vulnerable you are to relapsing again.3 Once you get into this cycle, you’ll likely need expert help to get out of it.

What Causes Repeated Relapse

If you just relapse once, it might be easy to pinpoint the trigger. Maybe you went out with an old drinking buddy, or you got some bad news. And once you understand what happened, you can start working through it.

Chronic relapse is more complex. If you’re stuck in a loop of using drugs, getting sober, and using drugs again, there are probably bigger issues at hand. And identifying those issues can be the first step toward healing. Everyone’s journey is different, but chronic relapse has a few common causes:

  • Stress: Life is often stressful, and that’s not always a bad thing. You might be stressed about getting a promotion, or planning your wedding. But ongoing distress—or stress about negative things—can lead to chronic relapse.4
  • Lack of social support: Healthy emotional intimacy is a powerful coping skill. For some people, it might even replace the urge to use drugs. Data shows that strong relationships protect you from recurring relapse.5 People with family support, in particular, relapse less often and less severely.
  • Untreated mental health issues: Co-occurring disorders are common among people with addiction. And some of them, like depression, can increase your risk of relapse.6 But with comprehensive treatment, you can manage your symptoms and stay focused on long-term recovery.

These are just a few potential reasons for chronic relapse. But whatever the cause, the solution is clear. If you’re relapsing repeatedly, you probably need to develop new coping skills. That could mean medical treatment, a new type of talk therapy, or another stay in residential rehab. The important thing is to find the approach that works for you.

Plan Your Recovery from Chronic Relapse

Bill, a former Recovery Centers of America patient, “went to a couple different rehabs and realized I was caught up in a cycle that I knew I couldn’t get out of on my own power.” But during his last stay in rehab, something changed. “This time around I was honest, open-minded, and actually let myself heal,” he says. Now sober for many years, Bill finally broke the cycle of chronic relapse.

When you first start rehab, you’re not just healing—you’re also learning how to heal. And you might not learn everything right away. Some people try many different kinds of treatment before they find the right approach.

Trauma-Informed Care

Without proper care, trauma makes chronic relapse more likely.7 And childhood trauma, in particular, is a predictor of this condition. If you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-PTSD), or other trauma symptoms, you might benefit from trauma-informed care.

This is a general philosophy, rather than a specific type of therapy. Trauma-informed rehabs recognize the impact your history has on recovery. And this approach does more than treat your symptoms. It also empowers you to heal the root cause of your addiction.

Long-Term Residential Rehab

If you haven’t reached your goals by using short-term interventions, long-term residential treatment might be your key to success. While you’re there, you’ll learn to identify the early warning signs of relapse. And then you’ll have more time to solidify your new coping skills.

Chronic relapse treatment almost always includes relapse prevention.8 That usually involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques. These methods address both relapse itself and any underlying mental health issues. Most programs also help you set up continuing care, which will help you transition out of residential rehab.

Sober Living

Sober living environments offer a supportive, structured place for you to call home. You can stay in some sober houses for months or years. You’ll likely have house chores, attend support groups or 12-Step meetings, and get a job or go to school. You may also be required to take regular drug tests.

These communities are a great option for people who need to rebuild their support networks during recovery.9 You’ll have more freedom to set your own schedule, while still following some structure. And most importantly, you can develop a new sense of belonging among your peers.

One Step at a Time

Chronic doesn’t mean permanent. Returning to rehab is an opportunity to fine-tune your recovery goals. And with those goals in mind, you can perfect the coping skills you need to reach them.

Search rehabs that treat chronic relapse to learn about pricing, read reviews, and more.

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What to Do If You Relapse: A Complete Guide to Recovery After Setbacks

If you’re healing from addiction, it makes sense to worry about relapse. This can be a concern at every stage of recovery, whether you’re just starting detox or years into sobriety. Cravings and triggers don’t just disappear. But with the right type of addiction treatment, you can make a plan to keep yourself safe.

Notice the Warning Signs

Everyone’s triggers are different. And in recovery, you’ll learn to recognize and work through them as they arise. Some of them you can simply avoid—like going to the bar, or missing a night of sleep. Others are inescapable. But because these situations are so common, you can often see them coming. And that foresight can help you navigate them more skillfully.

Stress

Stress is a natural part of life. And that’s not always a bad thing. Even positive events can be stressful,2 like buying a new car or planning a wedding. You can’t avoid all big changes—and you shouldn’t try to. But you can manage your emotional response to them.

As you return to life after treatment, try to be gentle with yourself. Data shows that people with addiction are more vulnerable to stress.3 And what’s more, unmanaged stress can increase your risk of relapse.4 That’s why it’s important to have a plan for how you’ll handle these situations when they come up.

According to experts, emotion regulation skills can help you get through stressful situations.5 You can learn these skills in rehab or from a therapist, and practice them on your own. For example, you might meditate, do breathing exercises, or try other mindfulness techniques. These coping strategies can keep you centered during intense moments.

Trauma

Even in times of stability, you might be distracted by painful memories. And unprocessed trauma is linked to addiction.6 This is true whether it occurred in childhood, in recent years, or as a result of drug use. Working with a trained therapist can help you move forward, but it won’t undo the past. You may still confront triggers from time to time. When that happens, you can use skills to work through your emotional response.

Addiction is a common response to trauma.7 Taking drugs can make you feel like you have control of your own mind, even though the opposite is true.  And if you’ve ever used drugs to deal with trauma, you might be more likely to fall back on that behavior. Scientists have established a clear link “between craving, relapse, and PTSD symptoms.”8

Traumatic memories and events might always trigger your cravings. But in trauma-informed rehab, you’ll learn coping skills that work better than drug use. And when you put those skills to use, it’s more than damage control. It can also be empowering.

Know Your Triggers

Recovery from almost anything is the process of getting to know yourself again. That’s true for addiction, mental health issues, trauma, and even some physical conditions. Maybe your energy levels are different, or you have new needs and boundaries. Maybe you want to pick up different hobbies, or restructure your relationships. There’s no wrong answer, as long as you stay present, honest with yourself, and focused on living a healthy life.

Understanding your own triggers is a big part of this process. And triggers aren’t always easy to predict or even explain. If you were once in a car crash, you might be triggered by loud noises or getting stuck in traffic. But you can also be triggered by relationship dynamics, sensations, and even emotions.

Learning to anticipate triggers and cravings can be confusing at first. But over time, it becomes intuitive. The first step is just paying attention to your own emotional reactions. Then, you can discuss your feelings with your therapist or another provider. With this information about your own impulses, you can start planning healthy ways to respond.

Guard Against Relapse by Planning Ahead

From the moment you enter rehab, your team will help you prepare for the risk of relapse. During treatment, you’ll amass resources and coping strategies to help you guard against it. And if you do relapse, you’ll already have a plan for what comes next.

Build an Emotional First-Aid Kit

Cravings aren’t convenient. They won’t always happen in the comfort of your home, or when you’re about to have a day off. In fact, because of the link between relapse and stress, you might be at a higher risk while you’re doing something important.

When you’re already feeling stressed, it can be hard to think clearly. That’s why some people in recovery make emotional first-aid kits. Your kit can take any form, from an actual first-aid kit to a post-it note to an art project. Just make sure it’s easily accessible, and has genuinely helpful information. You can start by including a few standard resources:

  • A list of activities that help you calm down, like exercising or playing games
  • A list of distress tolerance skills you find helpful, like breathing exercises or listening to a song you love
  • A comfort object, like a soft pillow or a worry stone
  • A copy of your favorite book
  • A mantra you can repeat to yourself during meditation
  • The phone numbers for trusted contacts, like your therapist, your sponsor, or your best friend

Connect With Your Community

Strong relationships decrease the risk of relapse.9 And you can start building your support network as soon as you enter recovery. That could mean meeting new people, or recommitting to loved ones. In many programs, you can even do family therapy during rehab.

Your support system can include several different types of relationships. Friends, family, and chosen family members are a great place to start. But you can also join more formal communities. Both 12-Step and non-12-Step groups  (like SMART Recovery groups) offer peer support. In these meetings, you can share your concerns about relapse with people who likely feel the same way.

When people expect things from you, they’ll hold you accountable. This even applies to low-stakes situations. If you miss a friend’s birthday party, they might ask if you’re ok. In the long term, these gentle nudges can help you stay on track. And, after you build trust over time, you’ll have people to lean on in crisis situations.

Stick With (or Revisit) Your Continuing Care Plan

Personal relationships are essential, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. While you can ask friends for emotional support, you can’t depend on them for clinical treatment. It’s important to find a team of mental health providers who can see you through recovery.

If you attend residential rehab, you can start planning for aftercare during treatment. In some cases, you can continue seeing the same therapist after you return home. But most of the time, you’ll need to look for a new one. You might also find other specialists, like a psychiatrist or a medical doctor who understands addiction.

These experts can help you plan ahead. They might notice behavioral warning signs, and suggest you take action even before you relapse. And if you’re in crisis, they can connect you with valuable resources, and help you focus on healing.

Responding to Relapse

Relapse happens. Healing is complex, even if you have great coping skills. And your path toward recovery might not be a straight line. And that’s okay.

If you do relapse, it’s important to face the issues behind it. Shame and addiction are related,10 and hiding your problems can exacerbate them. Instead, it’s best to find help as soon as you can. Reach out to your support network and your care team to let them know what’s happening. You can also call your original treatment center and ask them for advice.

Depending on your circumstances, you might need to kickstart recovery again. This could mean going through detox, returning to rehab, or trying something new. Your mental health provider can help you decide on the best way to move forward.

Recommitting to the Recovery Journey

Whatever comes after relapse, you can rely on one thing: you won’t be starting from scratch. Even this bump in the road is a step toward recovery. Relapse gives you important information about your triggers, needs, and recovery goals. And you can use that information to make even better choices about what comes next.

See our searchable list of rehabs to get support at any stage of recovery, from detox to continuing care.

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[Video] Understanding the Relapse Process

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While visiting McLean Borden Cottage as part of our Destinations series, Catherine Milliken, the Program Director gave us an excellent explanation of the “relapse process.” Watch this 3-minute video to get a better understanding of what causes relapse and how it can be prevented each step of the way.