Tag: Relapse Prevention Planning

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What Should I Do After Treatment? 6 Essentials for Life in Recovery

Completing a treatment program is a major accomplishment, but it’s only the beginning. Addiction and mental health recovery is about more than abstinence or even symptom management. Long-term recovery requires planning, support, and new strategies for managing life outside of a structured environment.

This guide explores what comes next and how to build a sustainable path to well-being. Treatment is just the beginning of an exciting, new, and healthy life, one that is supported by personal growth and ongoing care.1

1. The Importance of Aftercare

What happens after discharge can make or break your recovery journey. Relapse rates or recurrence of use for substance use disorder are comparable to other chronic conditions, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. These conditions, like addiction, require ongoing care.

Aftercare refers to the structured support and treatment options that follow residential treatment or inpatient programs. Research shows that individuals who engage in aftercare services have higher abstinence rates and fewer relapse episodes.2 These services extend the recovery process by offering continued care,3 structure, and accountability as individuals transition back into everyday life.

Whether you’ve completed detox, inpatient rehab, or another form of substance use disorder treatment, an aftercare plan provides the scaffolding needed for long-term success.

You may also have experienced a relapse or recurrence of use. This can be a normal part of the recovery process. An important thing to remember is that you can always reconnect with your aftercare plan and continue your recovery journey no matter what setbacks occur.

Types of Aftercare Plans

There is no one-size-fits-all recovery path.4 The most effective treatment plans are personalized based on your substance use history, mental health conditions, and social circumstances.

Illustration of a woman crossing a finish line ribbon with a trophy icon and motivational quote that reads, Finishing treatment is not the finish line, it is the starting line of long-term healing, symbolizing recovery and ongoing healing after addiction or mental health treatment.

Common Aftercare Options Include:

  • Outpatient therapy: Includes ongoing therapy sessions with a licensed mental health professional or addiction counselor. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),5 trauma-informed care, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are evidence-based approaches that can reduce relapse risk and enhance coping skills.
  • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): These structured programs6 offer therapy and group support several times a week without requiring overnight stays, helping bridge the gap between inpatient care and independent living.
  • Sober living homes: Transitional residences for individuals in recovery. These environments support a drug-free lifestyle and promote peer accountability,7 reducing the risk of early relapse.
  • Recovery coaching: One-on-one support from a trained peer who offers lived experience, goal setting assistance, and motivational guidance. Recovery coaching is increasingly recognized as an effective form of community-based support.
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): For those with opioid or alcohol use disorder, medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone8 can reduce cravings and support recovery. MAT has been shown to reduce overdose risk and improve long-term outcomes.

Aftercare should be initiated before discharge, with referrals made by healthcare providers or treatment centers to ensure continuity of care.

Infographic titled 6 Essentials for Life After Treatment featuring tips for maintaining recovery like ongoing aftercare, support network, relapse prevention, mental health care, finding joy, and long-term goals. A woman climbs an upward arrow symbolizing growth and progress, with Recovery.com branding.

2. Building a Support Network

No one recovers alone. A strong support system improves mental health, lowers relapse risk, and offers a sense of belonging during difficult times.

Recovery Support May Include:

  • Sponsors and mentors: Individuals in long-term recovery who guide and support you through 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). These relationships offer accountability and shared experience.
  • Alumni groups: Many treatment centers host alumni events and meetings to help former clients stay connected and inspired.
  • Family involvement: Family therapy helps loved ones understand addiction, rebuild trust, and become active allies in recovery. Evidence supports family therapy as a tool for improving communication and reducing substance use.
  • Online communities: Virtual meetings,9 support forums, and recovery apps can provide round-the-clock encouragement and connection.

3. Relapse Prevention Strategies

Preventing relapse isn’t just about avoiding drugs or alcohol—it’s about recognizing what leads to cravings and having tools ready to respond. The American Society of Addiction Medicine emphasizes the importance of proactive relapse prevention planning in sustaining recovery.

Core Relapse Prevention Tools:

  • Trigger identification: Learn what situations, emotions, or environments increase your risk of substance use. Triggers may include stress, isolation, boredom, or reconnecting with old social circles.
  • Coping mechanisms: Practice evidence-based strategies such as mindfulness, breathing techniques, journaling, and physical activity. These approaches have been shown to reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation.10
  • Accountability systems: Regular check-ins with sponsors, recovery coaches, or behavioral health professionals help you stay grounded and committed.
  • Emergency plans: Create a “lifeline” contact list of trusted people you can reach out to when struggling. Have a plan for how to manage high-risk situations and cravings.

If a relapse does occur, it’s important to seek support and adjust your recovery plan. Relapse is not failure—it’s an opportunity for learning and recalibration.

Infographic titled Signs You May Be Slipping After Treatment showing a person tripping over a can, with warning signs of relapse including avoiding check-ins, romanticizing the past, withdrawing, skipping medication, increased cravings, mood swings, neglecting self-care, and engaging with risky people or places.

4. Staying Connected to Purpose

Recovery isn’t just about what you leave behind, it’s about what you move toward. Rediscovering or creating meaning in your life provides long-term motivation and strengthens your identity beyond addiction.

Ways to Reclaim Purpose:

  • Volunteering or service work: Studies show that helping others11 can reduce depressive symptoms and improve life satisfaction.
  • Pursuing education or skills training: Reengaging with learning fosters self-efficacy and goal-setting.
  • Spiritual or religious practice or mindfulness: Spirituality and mindfulness-based interventions like yoga or meditation have been shown to support recovery and reduce relapse risk.
  • Goal setting: Establishing short- and long-term goals helps you track progress, stay motivated, and shape a positive vision of your future.

Rebuilding relationships, embracing new interests, or engaging in creative expression can all play a role in nurturing your recovery identity.

5. Managing Mental Health Long-Term

Many individuals in recovery also live with co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. Treating these conditions is essential to maintaining stability and avoiding relapse.

Key Mental Health Strategies:

  • Medication management: Work closely with your healthcare provider to monitor prescriptions, especially if you’re taking medications for mood, anxiety, or medication-assisted treatment.
  • Routine check-ins: Consistent appointments with a licensed mental health professional can catch emerging issues before they escalate.
  • Lifestyle habits: Sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and creative or spiritual outlets all support mental wellness.
  • Ongoing therapy: Continued engagement in evidence-based therapy (e.g., CBT or trauma-informed approaches) fosters long-term emotional resilience and healing.

If you or a loved one needs additional support, visit Recovery.com.

6. Embrace Joy and Live Life to the Fullest

Recovery isn’t just about avoiding what hurts, it’s about discovering what lights you up. Fun, play, and new experiences are not only allowed in recovery—they’re essential.

Rediscovering joy can help reinforce the value of staying sober, reduce stress, and reconnect you with a sense of purpose beyond survival. Studies show that engaging in positive leisure activities can improve emotional regulation, reduce depressive symptoms, and increase life satisfaction for people in recovery.

Ways to Add Fun to Your Recovery Life:

  • Try something new: Join a hiking group, take a cooking class, or explore local art or music scenes.
  • Laugh often: Watch comedies, play games, or surround yourself with people who bring out your playful side.
  • Celebrate your wins: Acknowledge milestones, no matter how small. Treat yourself to sober rewards.
    Travel or explore: Even a weekend trip or a walk in a new park can break routine and spark joy.
  • Stay curious: Reignite your creativity through hobbies like painting, writing, dancing, or DIY projects.

Joy is not a luxury in recovery—it’s part of the medicine. The more you engage with life fully, the more recovery becomes a life worth staying in.

A Lifelong Journey

Recovery is not a destination; it’s a lifelong process that evolves with you. Life after treatment is filled with choices—some easy, some hard—but with a solid aftercare plan, community support, and a commitment to growth, lasting recovery is possible.

Whether you’re managing cravings, rebuilding relationships, or adjusting to life outside residential treatment, know this: your story is still being written, and help is always available.

Explore trusted mental health programs that offer long-term care, flexible options, and evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs.

FAQs

Q: What is the most effective mental health treatment?


A: The most effective treatment varies based on the diagnosis and individual needs. However, evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication management, and integrated care models have proven effective across a range of mental health conditions. Combining therapy, lifestyle changes, and social support typically leads to the best outcomes.

Q: What is the next step after rehab?


A: After completing rehab, the next step is engaging in a structured aftercare plan. This may include outpatient therapy, sober living arrangements, support groups, recovery coaching, and ongoing medical or psychiatric care. These steps help maintain progress and reduce the risk of relapse.

Q: What is the most successful treatment for addiction?


A: The most successful treatment often combines medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for conditions like opioid or alcohol use disorder, behavioral therapies, and peer support. Long-term success is linked to individualized care, consistency, and engagement in recovery support services. 

Not sure how to find the best treatment for you? Read more here.

Q: What are the types of substance use disorder?


A: Substance use disorders can involve different substances, including alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, sedatives, and hallucinogens. Each type varies in severity and may require specific treatment approaches based on the substance used and the individual’s mental health history.

Q: What is substance abuse treatment?


A: Substance use disorder treatment is a structured approach to helping individuals stop or reduce harmful substance use. It may involve detox, inpatient or outpatient care, therapy, medication, and peer support. Treatment plans are typically customized to address both addiction and any co-occurring mental health conditions.

Q: Can I force my family member into treatment?


A: In some states, involuntary treatment is possible under specific legal criteria if the person poses a risk to themselves or others. However, voluntary engagement in treatment is generally more effective. Encouraging open dialogue, expressing concern, and offering support can sometimes motivate a loved one to seek help.

Q: Did the substance abuse treatment fail because of complications from your mental health issue or vice versa?


A: Co-occurring disorders can complicate recovery if not treated simultaneously. If mental health issues go unaddressed, they can contribute to relapse. Integrated treatment that addresses both substance use and mental illness improves the chance of lasting recovery.

Q: Does relapse to drug use mean treatment has failed?


A: No. Relapse is a common part of the recovery process and does not mean failure. It often indicates that the treatment plan needs to be adjusted. Ongoing support, re-engagement in care, and learning from relapse experiences are key to moving forward.

Q: How do behavioral therapies treat drug addiction?


A: Behavioral therapies like CBT, contingency management, and motivational interviewing help individuals change harmful thought patterns, build coping skills, and reinforce positive behaviors. These therapies are often used alongside medication and peer support to address the root causes of addiction.

Q: How can I maintain my mental health and sobriety after treatment?


A: Maintaining recovery includes regular therapy, support group participation, medication adherence (if prescribed), and consistent self-care. Healthy routines, stress management, and a strong support network also play vital roles in preventing relapse and sustaining mental wellness.

Q: How can I support my recovery journey after completing addiction treatment?


A: You can support your recovery by staying connected to your support system, setting meaningful goals, attending follow-up appointments, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in activities that bring purpose. Recovery is a lifelong journey, and maintaining motivation is key to long-term success.

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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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How to Stop Shopping Addiction

What may start as harmless shopping can turn dangerous when it becomes compulsive spending. If your shopping feels out of control and you’re spending excessive amounts on clothes, gadgets, makeup, or other items, shopping addiction can be just as damaging as drug addiction.

By understanding shopping addiction and its treatment you can learn how to manage your purchasing decisions and well-being.

Understanding Shopping Addiction

Shopping addiction, also called compulsive buying disorder, involves excessive buying behavior that leads to distress or impairment1. An individual with compulsive buying disorder is unable to control their thoughts and actions around spending, and feels relieved after a purchase. 

Shopping addiction often co-occurs with other behavioral health conditions involving impulse control, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. Compulsive shopping tends to run in families, especially those with mood and substance use disorders.

When spending becomes compulsive, other life facets suffer because of the energy spent on purchasing. Pre-spending anxiety can govern a person’s entire life, only to be relieved by a purchase. The individual can neglect their personal relationships, health, and employment to shop, and they can also be in serious financial trouble. 

Signs and Symptoms of Shopping Addiction

Shopping addiction usually has 4 phases: 1) Anticipation; 2) Preparation; 3) Shopping; and 4) Spending1. Phase 1 includes thoughts and urges with a specific item or spending. In the second phase, the person prepares for shopping and spending, including decisions on when and where to go, on how to dress, and which form of payment to use. Phase 3 involves the actual shopping experience, which is intensely exciting and can even lead to sexual arousal2. Finally, the item is purchased, often followed by disappointment with oneself.

As this cycle repeats, loved ones may notice shifts in behavior and mood that make the shopping addiction apparent. Spotting these signs within oneself or another can help prevent further damage.

Behavioral Signs

You may notice a change in someone’s behaviors as compulsive buying disorder takes hold. Signs include

  • Frequent shopping sprees
  • Impulse buying 
  • Financial struggles due to excessive spending
  • Hiding purchases
  • Chasing sales and deals
  • Accumulating unused items
  • Often returning items (due to buyers remorse)

Emotional Symptoms

A person with compulsive buying disorder will cycle through different emotions1 as they move through the 4 phases.

  • Anticipatory signs of compulsive purchases include
    • Depression 
    • Anxiety  
    • Boredom  
    • Self-critical thoughts 
    • Anger 
  • Immediate consequential emotions after spending include
    • Euphoria 
    • Relief from negative feelings
  • Emotions following the purchase after the initial euphoria fades include
    • Guilt
    • Shame
    • Low self-esteem
    • Emotional numbness

Financial Consequences

A shopping addiction can cause severe financial consequences that impact both the individual and their loved ones. The person often collects debt from maxed-out credit cards and personal loans, which is accompanied by additional fees, higher interest rates, and a damaged credit score. 

As the addiction progresses, they may be unable to pay essential bills, such as rent, utilities, groceries, or medical expenses, leading to unpaid invoices and the potential loss of services or even housing. In extreme cases, compulsive buying disorder can result in personal bankruptcy, as the person is unable to repay their debts and meet financial obligations.

Causes of Shopping Addiction

Compulsive buying disorder is a multi-pronged condition caused by various factors. Understanding the developmental, neurobiological, and cultural influences of shopping addiction can guide treatment efforts.

Psychological Factors

The Diamond Rehab in Thailand details the prevalence of co-occurring conditions that can precede and worsen compulsive spending behaviors3, forming a complex and chaotic concoction. These conditions often involve impulse control and emotional regulation, specifically obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other avoidant personality disorders. 

Impulsive spending acts as a coping mechanism to manage negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem, using shopping to solve the negative feelings temporarily. Shopping addiction can be both a product of and the cause for mental health concerns, necessitating personalized treatment when unraveling these conditions.

Environmental Influences

In a world consumed and fueled by media, people are taught that material possessions equate to happiness, success, and social status. Advertisements are designed to create desire, often exploiting emotional triggers to encourage impulsive purchases. This is especially true nowadays, with social platforms using targeted ads based on internet history.

For example, if you search for winter jackets on Google, you may encounter ads for trench coats on your social media platforms.

Consumerism is deeply ingrained in many cultures, with immense pressure to keep up with fashion, technology, and lifestyle societal norms. Social media amplifies this pressure by showcasing small, curated portions of people’s lives, often filled with luxury items and experiences, leading to anxiety and a desire to conform to these perceived standards4.

The internet also provides easy access to spending with online shopping. The convenience of being able to shop anytime, anywhere, has removed many of the barriers that previously limited impulsive purchases. Individuals may feel less inhibited and guilty for spending money as they have fewer in-person interactions, like handing money to a cashier, creating a false illusion of security behind a screen.

Biological Factors

Neurobiological theories credit compulsive buying disorder to abnormal neurotransmission1, particularly in the serotonergic, dopaminergic, or opioid systems. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and reinforcement5, is a key player in “reward dependence.” Dopamine is released when spending, creating a sense of euphoria. This reinforcement can lead to repeated behaviors in an attempt to experience that pleasurable feeling again, contributing to the cycle of addiction.

Irregular serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter responsible for emotional regulation and impulse control, are connected with various impulse control disorders, including compulsive shopping. Low levels of serotonin disrupt the ability to manage urges, leading to compulsive shopping behaviors as a way to temporarily alleviate negative emotions.

There is also evidence that individuals with a family history of addictive behaviors, such as substance use or gambling addiction, may be more genetically predisposed to developing other types of compulsive behaviors, including shopping addiction6.

Strategies to Overcome Shopping Addiction: Professional Treatment Options

Navigating compulsive buying disorder recovery requires a comprehensive approach that often demands outside professional help. Building an extensive toolkit of skills to manage negative feelings and impulses tied to shopping behaviors can empower you to save and spend your money confidently. 

Therapy and Counseling

Individual, group, and family therapy each offer a unique approach to help manage compulsive behaviors. Individual counseling, often through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), creates a personalized setting where you and your therapist collaborate to identify the specific emotional and psychological issues driving the addiction. You can learn tailored coping mechanisms and practice using them when in stressful or triggering situations. 

Group therapy provides a supportive environment to share experiences and challenges with others facing similar issues. A group setting can help you feel less isolated and gain insight from peers’ experiences. You’ll practice accountability, build connections, and develop healthier social interactions, which can be a crucial part of the recovery process.

Family therapy is another important option, especially when shopping addiction negatively affects relationships and family dynamics. Your family unit can improve communication, address underlying family conflicts, and learn more on how to support you in recovery. Loved ones can learn how to set healthy boundaries and avoid enabling compulsive shopping behaviors.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Shopping Addiction

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of therapy to navigate compulsive buying disorder7. CBT helps individuals identify and address the underlying thoughts, beliefs, and emotions that trigger compulsive shopping. By recognizing these patterns, you can learn healthier thought processes, coping mechanisms, and strategies to manage impulses. 

CBT helps individuals recognize the triggers and irrational thoughts that lead to their compulsive shopping behavior, such as stress or low self-esteem, as well as external factors like social pressure. You can learn to critically examine these thoughts and replace them with more rational, balanced perspectives. For example, you might learn to question whether buying an item will improve your mood or help you gain social approval, leading to a more realistic assessment of your needs. 

Medication

Sometimes, medication is necessary to manage the impulsive urges as well as the co-occurring mental health conditions like OCD and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, and Sertraline can treat compulsive buying disorder1 due to the similarities in neurotransmission and behaviors with other compulsive disorders. 

A comprehensive evaluation can guide medication usage for shopping addiction. Your professional care team can help you navigate your needs to find the appropriate medication and dosage. 

Financial Counseling

In many cases, financial counseling helps individuals regain control over their monetary struggles, especially if the person is in debt or battling legal issues. The proper counselor or mentor can help you manage finances, develop better money management skills, and repair the financial damage caused by compulsive spending. You may benefit from creating a debt repayment plan, learning budgeting skills, and developing a healthier relationship with money. 

Financial counseling skills can serve as a strong foundation for lifelong budgeting methods. You and your counselor may set savings goals for major life events, such as buying a home, funding education, or preparing for retirement. Developing realistic savings plans and making investment decisions can help you align your long-term financial goals.

Support Groups 

Joining support groups like Spenders Anonymous provides a sense of community, understanding, and accountability in your recovery. They offer a safe space to share experiences, learn from others, and receive ongoing support.

Developing Healthy Shopping Habits

Overcoming shopping addiction requires a combination of self-awareness, discipline, and practical strategies. Recovery stories are built on everyday habits that support a sustainable, healthy mindset.

Creating a Budget

Adopt a strict budget that you and your financial counselor create for discretionary spending, limiting the amount of money available for shopping. By tracking your spending and sticking to this budget, you can prevent impulsive purchases and stay within your means. Apps and websites like YNAB and Goodbudget keep users on track with time-tested budgeting methods, as well.

You may motivate yourself to adhere to your budget by giving yourself a small reward, such as going for ice cream if you do not overspend each week. A day of recovery 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.

Mindful Shopping

When shopping for necessities, ask yourself whether you truly need the item, how it aligns with your values, and what the long-term consequences of the purchase will be. Mindfulness can help you stay grounded and make more intentional decisions.

Consider using cash instead of credit cards to make purchases, as this can help you directly feel the impact of spending. You could remove saved payment information from online shopping accounts, making it less convenient to make impulsive purchases, too.

You can also practice delayed gratification. By implementing a “cooling-off” period—waiting 24+ hours before making a purchase—you give yourself time to evaluate whether the item is truly necessary, which can help reduce impulsive buying.

Lifestyle Changes

Occasionally deleting social media apps can offer solace from advertisements and convincing influencers who tell you to try the newest product. You can also try unsubscribing from marketing emails or limiting time spent on shopping sites with website controls to reduce the urge to shop.

Real dopamine from healthy activities is the best kind of dopamine. Rediscover and reignite your passions by reading, painting, taking walks, and volunteering to keep you occupied and fulfilled.

Preventing Relapse

Relapse prevention planning aims to recognize and address warning signals before they escalate to the physical stage—compulsive spending. It takes a cognitive behavioral approach to preventing relapse and provides appropriate skills for what to do if a relapse does occur. It blends education, coping strategy development, trigger identification, building support networks, and lifestyle changes.

Identifying Triggers

You and your care team can begin to build your relapse prevention plan by reflecting on 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.

One of the most essential parts of a relapse prevention plan is building skills to navigate uncomfortable feelings and situations. You may practice coping techniques such as breathing exercises, regulating emotions through journaling, and saying “no” to situations that do not serve your recovery. This can help you walk into any situation with confidence. 

Ongoing Support

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). 

What Real People are Doing

A user on Reddit shares their practical and realistic lifestyle changes that helped them overcome shopping addiction8, serving as an inspiring example for others facing similar struggles. They walk through the importance of decluttering, adopting mindful shopping practices, and creating a monthly budget to track their spending. 

By focusing on delayed gratification and shifting their mindset from impulsive buying to intentional purchasing, they successfully broke free from compulsive shopping. Their experience highlights how small, sustainable changes in daily habits and financial awareness can make a significant impact on their physical, mental, and financial well-being.

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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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Life Skills Training in Rehab: Building Blocks for a Self-Sufficient Future

Life skills training in rehab is designed to equip you with the practical tools you need to thrive in life after treatment. While learning how to meal plan or set weekly goals may seem like simple skills, these fundamentals are key to forming a functional baseline for life. And they’re often the first to fall by the wayside during active addiction.

Rehab should prepare you for life in long-term recovery—and that includes building the skills that will help you work through any challenges to your sobriety. Practicing these skills empowers you to apply what you learned in treatment to your life in the real world. As you implement these changes, you’ll rebuild your confidence, make healthier choices, and become a more supportive member of your family and community. 

Many people who receive life skills training in rehab say these tools help them manage their addiction, maintain meaningful relationships, and live rewarding lives. Here’s what life skills training looks like in rehab, and how it can position you for success in recovery for years to come.

Core Components of Life Skills Training

Learning life skills helps you create a structure in a life that was previously unstructured. For many people, having structure helps them conceptualize what their life will look like day to day.

It helps them stay in a healthy routine, meet their basic needs, and make space to address problems when they need to. Ultimately, it forms the basis of their success in recovery. 

Structuring Your Life

Lori Stewart, a Drug and Alcohol Counselor who is living in recovery, says for her, structure is one of the main differences between life in addiction and life in recovery:1 

Structure is really important. When I was using, I had no structure. I did what I wanted, when I wanted, and other people didn’t matter to me. So when I got clean, I had to change that. And when I began my recovery, I learned how to live in structure: how to show up on time, how to be where I was supposed to be, and to have a plan.

Rehabs generally teach 8 types of life skills:2 

  1. Self-care
  2. Setting personal goals
  3. Managing your finances
  4. Planning and cooking meals
  5. Keeping your space clean
  6. Healthy relationships
  7. Time management
  8. Finding (and keeping) a job 

1. Self-Care

Even without substance use in the mix, we humans tend to neglect ourselves. But during addiction, substance use replaces the routines that keep us healthy. Being addicted makes it much harder to take care of ourselves.

Michael, a Recovery Coach at Cumberland County Human Services (CCHS), says learning not to let himself burn out is a skill that’s helped his recovery.3 “If you burn yourself out, your thinking is not as sharp as it is when you’re fresh,” he says. Now, instead of pushing himself past his limit, he opts to self-regulate. 

I pride myself in being very disciplined in my self-care, meaning I don’t exhaust myself. No matter what, I won’t allow somebody else to exhaust me, and I won’t exhaust myself, because I’m very mindful of self-care. And it’s very important to living a different lifestyle than you used to live.

2. Setting and Achieving Goals

Goal-setting is one of the most important life skills in recovery. Many people—especially during addiction—feel directionless without anything to work toward. Goals keep life moving forward.

In recovery, goal setting includes both large and small goals. Long-term goals keep you focused on your larger vision, and the small goals you complete each day are how you get there. This can look like planning out your week and following that plan each day, or planning out your day the night before. You may not feel like doing the items on your to-do list each day, but checking them off gives you a huge sense of accomplishment.

One woman in recovery, Ashley Bolen, describes how setting goals in recovery4 helps her feel like she’s moving in a positive direction: 

[Rehab] taught me how to do things like pay my bills again—I forgot how to do that kind of stuff. They helped me come up with goals, and as long as I keep working towards those goals I feel like I’m going somewhere in life, which is huge. Because when you’re on drugs or on the street, you don’t have any goals. You don’t feel like you’re going anywhere in your life. You feel like the walking dead.

Michael of CCHS says small goals5 are just as important as large ones: “It says a lot about your character when you set small goals and you achieve them.” Doing what you tell yourself you will—however small—goes a long way in building your self-trust. 

3. Managing Finances

If you’re coming out of years of addiction, you might be used to spending all your money on drugs and alcohol. In recovery, you’ll need to learn how to allocate money to your living expenses and savings. Rehabs teach this life skill through classes on financial planning, budgeting, saving, and more.   

For someone without a lot of experience managing their personal finances, these things can feel very intimidating. But getting your financial house in order and learning how to avoid financial pitfalls has a significant impact on your life. Knowing how much money is coming in and how much is going out each month ensures you’re saving for your needs and avoiding unnecessary debt.

One practice that helps you stay within budget far more easily is cooking your own meals. 

4. Meal Planning and Cooking

There’s a reason why sober living homes require people in recovery to make meal plans, grocery shop, and cook with their housemates. These are crucial skills for life, especially for those in recovery. 

You may not have been much of a home cook before. Or if you were, it’s likely that you lost track of regular, healthy eating during your addiction. 

Cooking may seem like a soft skill, but it’s a big deal. In fact, food author Michael Pollan says cooking can change your life:6

What predicts a healthy diet more than anything else is the fact that it’s cooked by a human being. Corporations cook very differently than people do. They use vast amount of salt, fat, and sugar—much more than you would ever use in your own cooking. And the reason they do that is because those are incredibly attractive, and incredibly cheap, ingredients.

Your diet has a major impact on your recovery, because it affects your mood, your gut biome, and the extent to which you experience cravings. Given how important nutrition is to maintaining your sobriety, that means cooking at home is a large part of what will help you stay sober, happy, and healthy in your new life.

5. Keeping House

Living with clutter can add environmental stress that affects your mental health. One study even showed lower psychosocial functioning among children who grow up in cluttered households.7 Having a relatively tidy space, on the other hand, can also declutter your mind. And in recovery, having an environment that supports your life goals is everything. That’s why U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven famously says that if you want to change the world, start off by making your bed:

If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride. And it will encourage you to do another task, and another and another, and by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.

Keeping a clean house isn’t just a good self-care practice, it’s also a way to respect the needs of those you live with. Making good housekeeping a habit can make relationships easier as you reenter home life after rehab. 

6. Having Healthy Relationships

Building and maintaining healthy relationships is one of the most important skills in life. When you return home after treatment, you’ll be adjusting to your new life in sobriety—and those around you will be adjusting, too. 

Life will undoubtedly present triggers, and some of those will stem from social situations. These triggers are an opportunity to practice the communication skills you learned in treatment, as well as work through whatever still needs healing.

This is also a good time to let others know how they can support you by respectfully communicating your needs and boundaries. These things may sound simple, but they can feel very difficult—especially if you’re used to a different way of dealing with things. Honing these skills takes time, and those who love you will stick with you as you continue learning and trying your best. 

7. Managing Your Time

As you work toward your goals, it’s also important to keep yourself in balance. Learning to schedule your time and energy realistically is another skill that gets better over time. As you plan out your days, weeks, and months, be sure to block out time on your calendar for yourself. Allowing yourself to recharge and fill your cup gives you more energy to be present for your recovery practice and all the other things you have going on in your life.  

8. Job Readiness

For many people, rebuilding their life after addiction means finding a new job. Some rehabs focus on job readiness as part of their skill-building programming. Your rehab might offer help with your resume, interview skills training, or other services to help you feel ready to reenter the workforce.

If you simply need a job to meet your immediate needs, that’s completely fine. Ultimately, you may feel compelled to look for work that’s meaningful to you. Many people find that the self-exploration they do in recovery allows them to connect with their true purpose, and may even change careers as a result. Recovery is a life-changing experience, after all.

How Life Skills Training Facilitates Recovery

Life skills training helps reduce relapse rates by developing your tools for managing triggers and getting through life’s inevitable challenges. When you have better communication skills, for example, you’re better able to express your needs and frustrations instead of turning to substances to cope.

This training also grows your confidence in your ability to handle tough situations. Learning to make healthy choices, set boundaries, and say “no” empowers you to make decisions that support your recovery. 

Life Skills Training Techniques and Approaches

Life skills training in rehab isn’t just a lecture series; it’s an engaging and interactive process.  Your rehab might hold workshops as part of their core program, and answer questions and concerns about life in recovery in group discussions. You might also practice these skills through experiential learning activities, such as:

  • Picking veggies from the garden, learning how to make salad dressing from scratch, and creating your own salad 
  • Planning your shopping list and trip to the grocery store to avoid pitfalls associated with disordered eating 
  • Doing a mock interview to build confidence for your real-world job search 

These techniques are often interwoven with evidence-based approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. CBT helps patients identify negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Motivational interviewing techniques can help you explore your motivations for change and long-term recovery. 

Challenges and Solutions in Life Skills Training

Applying new life skills takes time and practice. During treatment, a lot of people grapple with emotional upheaval or residual addiction symptoms, which might distract from their ability to fully engage with their rehabilitation program. And after rehab, reintegrating into daily life presents a whole new set of challenges.

That’s why most rehabs offer recovery support like relapse prevention planning, aftercare, and alumni networks that help you stay connected to sober community. Continuing individual therapy after rehab is also a great idea, as your therapist can help you work through challenges as they arise and continue to apply what you learned during treatment. And if you don’t already have a strong support network to lean on, your rehab can help you have one in place before you leave their care. 

Success Story: “Every day I get to achieve my goals.”

Lori Stewart describes how structuring her life through the life skills training she received in rehab helps her stay on track:

That kind of structure is important to keep me feeling sane. When I wake up in the morning, I know what I’m doing. I know what I’m doing every day and that helps me in recovery, it brings me stability, and I have a plan. I have goals for my life. Every day I get to achieve my goals and work towards achieving my bigger goals. And through that, I’ve been able to be successful in my life. I’ve been able to gain years in recovery, buy houses, and raise successful children. I’ve been married to the same man for years, and I have a happy marriage because I’ve been able to follow my goals and have structure in my life.

She adds that she also stays connected to her sober community by talking to her sponsor regularly and working the 12 Steps with women she sponsors. “I stay really connected to my friends that are in recovery,” says Stewart. “If I lose that connection, I could possibly end up where I was before I got clean.” 

Learn the Skills That Support Your New Life

Life skills training isn’t just an add-on; it’s a cornerstone of successful addiction recovery. It provides you with the tools to start building the life you want. Countless others have rebuilt their lives after addiction, and you can too. 

Search for addiction treatment centers that offer life skills training, and reach out to them directly today. 

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Understanding the Importance of Social Support in Recovery

Life gets tough at times, and facing a challenge like addiction alone can feel harder than it needs to. That’s where social support comes in. 

This life-changing tool can help you manage stress, achieve better recovery outcomes, and enjoy the process more along the way. Here’s how you can make it a part of your journey, and reap the rewards of social support in recovery.

What Is Social Support?

The American Psychological Association defines social support1 as “the provision of assistance or comfort to others, typically to help them cope with biological, psychological, and social stressors.”

This can look like giving advice, helping out with tasks, assisting financially, or being there for someone in a way that makes them feel better emotionally. It can come from various sources: 

  • Peer support in rehab and group therapy 
  • 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Al-Anon
  • Non-12-Step support groups like SMART Recovery, Women for Sobriety, or LifeRing Secular Recovery
  • Family and friends who are supportive of your healing process 

Social support helps you cope with stress, and recovery is undoubtedly stressful at times. Here’s why it’s important to develop—and engage with—this invaluable resource throughout your recovery.  

7 Benefits of Social Support in Recovery

The importance of social support in addiction recovery can’t be overstated. Here are 7 ways having healthy connections can fill your journey with more joy: 

1. Positive Impact on Mental Health

In times of hardship, it’s social support that lifts us back up. Beyond that, it can even help us shift from surviving to thriving. When we feel loved, understood, and cared for, we bloom.   

Research supports the link between social support and mental health.2 One study finds that “positive social communication with family members and friends reduces anxiety and develops the feeling of security. People with more positive ethnical social relations and higher social support enjoy more efficient communication skills, which directs them away from depression and other mental problems…

social support as a protector against stress in a way that it largely affects social health and performance.”

Poor social support, on the other hand, is linked to a higher risk of mental health conditions3 like anxiety and depression.

2. Better Engagement in Treatment

Recovery is a huge life change, and social support can make it easier to achieve your goals. “If your social connections do not support you, it can make success much more difficult,” says psychosocial rehabilitation specialist Kendra Cherry, MSEd. But, “If your friends and family offer support and encouragement,4 you may find achieving your goal much more possible.”  

Research shows that social support in addiction recovery can help people get into addiction treatment5 and increase their engagement in rehab programs. This could be due in part to the role of denial as an intrinsic part of addiction, which means loved ones often play a key role in getting people the care they need. 

3. Supports Long-Term Recovery

There’s a reason why rehabs place so much focus on building a strong support system as part of continuing care and life after treatment. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration defines recovery as being holistic,6 stating that it “addresses the whole person and their community, and is supported by peers, friends, and family members.” 

During early recovery, you’ll be integrating a lot of lifestyle changes, and a good network of friends and family encourages healthy choices and behaviors. Recovery is a lifestyle—and you need people who support that lifestyle. Surrounding yourself with examples of people living healthy lives makes it much easier to envision yourself doing the same.

Real friends want the best for you, and support your commitment to a path that’s in your best interest.

4. Reduced Risk of Relapse

Identifying the people in your support system is a vital part of relapse prevention planning. Having a trusted circle of people who believe in you and offer non-judgmental support provides a safety net when you face challenges or setbacks. This sense of security in times of need can significantly reduce your chances of backsliding.

Research consistently shows that social support is a key factor in preventing relapse.7 One study of rehab graduates found that “Clients with positive family relationships post-discharge were less likely to relapse than clients without such relationships. Clients who reported negative activities by all or most friends in the post-discharge period were three and one-half times more likely to relapse than clients who did not.” 

Just as it’s important to remove yourself from the social situations that prompted your addiction, 

it’s important to surround yourself with people who support your healthy choices. 

5. Motivation and Accountability 

Like any long-term goal, recovery requires consistent work. And we don’t always feel like doing the things that are good for us. This is where accountability comes in, and why programs like AA focus so much on social systems that hold each other accountable.

“None of us can do this alone,” says AA member Judy G. “We need to be accountable to each other to stay sober8 in mind, body and spirit.”

Regularly meeting with your sponsor, sober coach, and sober peers can help you track your progress and stay motivated toward your goals. And that’s especially useful in early recovery, when life in sobriety can feel overwhelming. 

6. Enhanced Coping Skills

Addictions are often developed as a result of using certain behaviors, alcohol, or drugs to cope with underlying issues. As such, learning how to cope with life’s inevitable challenges in helpful ways is a huge part of success in recovery—and life in general. 

Social support is, in itself, a healthy coping strategy, and it plays a major role in determining your quality of life.9

Having loved ones you can rely on in times of need eases suffering. Researchers on the effects of social support on coping with stress10 say, “Social support is the most vital psychosocial protective resource, where effective coping can reduce stress levels and prevent individuals from experiencing more severe psychological distress.”

7. Improved Physical Health

The positive emotional and psychological effects of social support can also translate into better physical health. Reduced stress and healthier lifestyle choices made within a supportive community all contribute to a better mind, body, and spirit.

Stress can have serious health consequences, from compromised immunity to increased risk of heart disease. And because social support reduces stress, it also reduces the risk of stress-related illness. 

In fact, social support is one of the most important indicators of longevity.11 Studies show consistent evidence “on three neurobiological pathways that link social support with health and longevity: the autonomic nervous system, the neuroendocrine system, and the immune system.” Just as being stuck in a state of fight-or-flight has negative impacts on these systems, the safety we feel as a result of our social networks reduces those impacts—and the risk of disease and mortality. 

Find a Rehab Center for Your Journey to Recovery

Recovery isn’t just about abstaining from substances or managing symptoms; it’s about creating a life in which you feel happy, healthy, and well. And social support is a vital aspect of that. Your loved ones can help motivate you to get into treatment, and be a fulfilling part of your life in long-term recovery. Recovery also provides opportunities to make new connections and make that network even stronger. 

If your goal is to overcome an addiction, rehab can be a great place to start. Social support is a central aspect of residential treatment, as peers provide camaraderie and community in group therapy and throughout your treatment experience. 

To speak with rehab admissions counselors directly, look for treatment centers that meet your needs and reach out to someone today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Support in Recovery 

How does social support impact mental health in addiction recovery?

Research shows that positive social communication reduces anxiety, enhances communication skills, and acts as a protector against stress. Poor social support is linked to a higher risk of mental health conditions, making healthy connections crucial for emotional well-being during recovery.

What are the benefits of social support in addiction recovery?

Social support offers numerous benefits in addiction recovery, including better mental health, better engagement in treatment, motivation, accountability, enhanced coping skills, reduced risk of relapse, and improved physical health. Building a strong support system is integral to the holistic approach of recovery, providing a foundation for a fulfilling and healthy life.

Why is social support important in preventing relapse during addiction recovery?

Social support helps prevent relapse because it provides a safety net when you face challenges or setbacks. Trusted connections reduce your risk of relapse by providing non-judgmental support and a sense of security when you need it most. Research consistently shows that positive family relationships and supportive social circles are closely tied to successful recovery outcomes.

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Growing Past Addiction With Horticulture Therapy

Gardening can be more than a relaxing pastime. It also has clear mental health benefits—and it even supports addiction recovery. Rehabs with horticultural therapy help patients get grounded, literally. This treatment can inspire an appreciation for nature, give you a new hobby, and help you get to know yourself again. 

What Is Horticultural Therapy (HT)?

In horticultural therapy, a therapist guides you through nature-based activities.1 That could mean gardening, weeding, or just spending time outside. You might even learn how to cook the food you grow.

Horticultural therapy looks different for everyone. In some programs, you’ll tend to a small window box of herbs. Others, like Mountainside Treatment Center, have more outdoor space for clients to explore. 

mountainside treatment center campus
Mountainside Treatment Center in Cannan, Connecticut has plenty of outdoor space for clients to explore.

What to Expect in HT, Whether Your Garden’s Big or Small

Specially trained therapists facilitate HT2 in rehab. You might see them one on one, or meet with a group of your peers. Treatment takes place in a natural setting, like a greenhouse, outdoor garden, or vegetable patch. In any of these places, you’ll learn about gardening and what different plants need to survive. Then, you’ll put it into practice. 

Like most complementary therapies, HT also invites you to process your feelings. You might talk while you’re watering, or check in after you finish weeding for the day. Specifically, gardening teaches patients to be mindful.3 This skill is hugely important during addiction recovery.

How Can Gardening Help With Addiction?

Plants don’t judge you.4 They don’t know if you have an addiction or any other diagnosis. The way you treat them is the only thing that matters. And what’s more, they depend on you for care. You’ll learn how to show up for them every day, doing your best even if you feel your worst. And that skill can help you commit to every phase of addiction recovery. 

Experts at Enlightened Recovery, a rehab focused on sustainability, believe that gardening echoes the cycle of recovery.5 They explain:

“This lesson that all things must grow, live, perish, and in turn be put back into the land is a part of our holistic outlook on recovery and living.” 

In their program, gardening becomes a metaphor for your personal growth. The act of starting rehab can be a challenge, even before you begin treatment. HT reminds patients that letting go of the past is empowering. And what comes next can be beautiful.

enlightened solutions garden
Enlightened Recovery in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey shows clients how gardening echoes the cycles of recovery.

The Benefits of HT in Rehab

Rehabs around the world use horticultural therapy to treat mental health issues, including addiction. And even after treatment, the benefits of gardening can support your ongoing recovery. 

Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

Horticultural therapy helps people heal from more than one diagnosis at a time. If you’re recovering from addiction and a co-occurring disorder, this treatment might be a great fit. Gardening is especially helpful for patients with certain mental health issues,6 like depression and anxiety. 

Stress Relief

Stress raises your risk of addiction.7 So throughout recovery, it’s important to engage in calming activities. And data shows that horticultural therapy relieves stress.8 Having regular access to plants—either indoors or outdoors—can greatly improve your mental health.

summit malibu campus
Summit Malibu in California teaches clients how to cook with veggies they harvest themselves.

Nutrition

Scientists believe that growing the food you eat may have physical health benefits.9 And in rehabs like Summit Malibu, it’s easy to see why. After coming in from the garden, patients here learn how to cook with their own harvest. This process can help you reconnect to your own body, and find joy in healthy hobbies. It can also teach you about the importance of nutrition during recovery. 

“Everything you do in the garden is an act of love.”

Gardening lets patients connect to nature. Every day you can see, feel, and even taste your own impact on the world around you. At rehabs like Mountainside Treatment Center, that perspective is crucial. Sheree Surdam, overseer of their horticultural therapy program,10 explains why.

Gardening gives “people a sense of purpose and stewardship over the natural world,” she says. “Everything you do in the garden is an act of love.”

Root Yourself in Recovery

A healthy plant is tangible. When you smell a rose you grew, you’re breathing in joy of your own hard work. And by learning to nurture your garden, you can learn to nurture yourself. 


Compare rehabs with horticultural therapy to find the right program for you.

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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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Mutual Support in Therapeutic Communities

Substance misuse can be extremely isolating. For some clients, rehab is a good time to break out of old patterns and start rebuilding interpersonal relationships. And, as valuable as talk therapies are, there are some skills you can only learn by engaging in mutual support. If your goal is to focus on those skills, you might benefit from joining a therapeutic community.

While many of these programs take place within rehab facilities, they take a unique approach to the healing process. Residents receive some level of professional care, which may include talk therapy, medical supervision, and various other programs. In addition to this, clients actively cultivate a community of mutual emotional support.

What Is a Therapeutic Community?

Therapeutic communities, or TCs, are “a form of long-term residential treatment for substance use disorders.”1 Originally—starting as early as the 1950’s—most of these organizations were run entirely by residents, who provided support to each other during recovery. This model uses “the peer community as the agent of recovery,”2 with an emphasis on healthy relationships between members.

In some of these earlier programs, members were prohibited from using medications of any kind, even to help with detox. Over time, and as public opinion has shifted, many facilities have adopted a more modern approach. Today, it’s quite common for TCs to be connected with more traditional rehab facilities. This allows clients to benefit from recent medical advances, while still connecting deeply with one other. If you attend one of these programs, you will also be asked to take on greater responsibilities than you would be in a more traditional rehab program.

Collective Responsibility

In a therapeutic community, clients are often expected to participate in group activities, engage directly with one another, and even perform daily chores. These activities are intended to help you cultivate life skills and build healthy relationships. By behaving as an important part of a larger collective, you may become more confident in your own personal strengths.

As psychiatrist Penelope Campling explains, this philosophy is founded on the ideas of self-empowerment and collective responsibility. She writes, “therapeutic communities3 are deliberately structured in a way that encourages personal responsibility and avoids unhelpful dependency on professionals. Patients are seen as bringing strengths and creative energy into the therapeutic setting, and the peer group is seen as all-important in establishing a strong therapeutic alliance.”

TCs conceive of the “community as [the] method“4 or mechanism of healing. In this model, clients are not only accountable for their own recovery; they also assume a certain level of responsibility for each others’ healing processes. There is “an emphasis on social learning5 and mutual self-help…This aid to others is seen as an important part of changing oneself.”

Length of Stay in a Therapeutic Community

These programs often last longer than other forms of treatment, and your length of stay will likely be determined by your unique needs. At Start2Stop, a facility in London, offers a Secondary Care Programme for those who have completed 28-day inpatient treatment. “Everyone is different and the length of stay will depend upon individual circumstances,” says the provider. However, most clients stay on-site for approximately three months.

Research suggests that it is especially important for clients to prioritize aftercare following their stay in a TC. According to one study on therapeutic communities’ effectiveness,6 both “length of stay in treatment and participation in subsequent aftercare were consistent predictors of recovery status.” This may be related to the well-documented importance of community for mental health.7 After you learn to engage with fellow residents in a TC, it may be difficult to return to a less communal setting.

Group Activities

While therapeutic communities share a particular approach, various TCs have slightly different philosophies regarding recovery. For instance, some of these programs are founded in the 12 Steps of A.A. or N.A. Others may host only teens, or offer gender-specific treatment. No matter who is part of your cohort, you can expect to participate in focused group activities.

It’s quite common for clients to engage in group therapy or support groups during their stay. You may also join in group outings or even shared meals. These experiences help residents cultivate a sense of community by both offering and receiving emotional support from peers. When this exchange occurs outside of traditional talk therapy, clients can practice interpersonal skills in a variety of contexts. This may help you prepare for life after rehab, when you’ll start interacting with people who aren’t necessarily in recovery.

A growing body of evidence suggests mutual support between clients with substance use disorders8 is hugely beneficial. Experts have found that these relationships “fill a gap that often exists in both formal and informal treatment for individuals with SUD by focusing on recovery first and by helping to rebuild and redefine the individual’s community and life.”

You are more than your illness. Simply watching a movie with a friend, going on a hike, or talking about a good book can help you remember that. And during your time in residence at a TC, you may have more and more opportunities to engage in these activities.

Stages of Recovery

Many therapeutic communities employ a “hierarchical model of care”.9 In this dynamic, clients gain more privileges as they work through predefined stages of recovery. These privileges often include access to the outside world, such as receiving an allowance, using a laptop, or going off-site. For example, you might be allowed to spend a night away from the facility after being in the program for a certain period of time.

Because of this philosophy, TCs may be a good fit for people with responsibilities they can’t set down for months at a time. In particular, students and employed professionals may be able to keep up with school and work during treatment. Some clients might need to do this remotely, while others may be allowed to leave the facility during the day.

Unlike other rehab models, therapeutic communities actively encourage clients to reintegrate with the outside world10 before completing treatment. According to the National Institutes of Health, “as program participants progress through the stages of recovery, they assume greater personal and social responsibilities in the community. The goal is for a TC participant to leave the program not only drug-free but also employed or in school or training. It is not uncommon for program participants to progress in their recovery to take on leadership and staff roles within the TC.”

This flexibility should not be confused with a lack of structure. On the contrary, clients enjoy certain freedoms precisely because they remain accountable to themselves, each other, and their healthcare providers. At every stage of recovery, you’ll be expected to follow certain house rules.

Common Regulations in Therapeutic Communities

Life in a TC strikes a delicate balance. On the one hand, you’ll slowly gain privileges that aren’t available in other rehab programs. And on the other hand, you’ll be expected to take on responsibilities that are rarely associated with inpatient treatment. These two components work in concert to empower clients. The daily practice of caring for yourself and others, while watching the impact of your behavior in real time, can have a huge impact on the recovery process.

Sobriety

Most therapeutic communities have a zero-tolerance policy for substance use. You may undergo regular tests to confirm your sobriety. This practice is especially important for clients who spend significant time off-site. By gathering data about your health, your clinicians can monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

If you do test positive for substances during your stay, you may have to leave the program permanently. While this may sound extreme, it’s in line with the philosophy of community accountability. In a TC, even more than in some other programs, your behavior has a drastic impact on the health of other residents. This strategy not only discourages substance misuse; it also protects clients from engaging in enabling behavior.

Household Chores

Living in a community means being partially responsible for the well-being of the whole group. With this in mind, most TCs require residents to take care of their own living spaces. These activities aren’t simply utilitarian; they’re also an exercise in interpersonal dynamics. A task as simple as sweeping the floor can become an act of caring for your cohort.

Each program has its own unique expectations of clients. At MARR, a TC in Georgia, clients “complete chores, buy groceries together, have dinner at the dining room table every night, and navigate day-to-day activities. This sense of community has proven to be a huge factor in the recovery process. It lets clients know they’re not alone while challenging their old habits at the same time.”

This practice teaches valuable life skills, helps clients develop healthier habits, and fosters strong relationships. It may also have a long-lasting positive effect on the psychological aspect of healing. Data suggests that life skills training11 and related activities may be an important preventive measure for those in recovery from substance use disorders.

Curfew

TCs have a strong focus on building healthy habits into your daily routine. Because of this, you can expect to follow a clearly defined schedule during your time there. Although it will likely include much more free time than a traditional rehab, you’ll still have to abide by a curfew. This curfew may change over time, as you progress through the stages of recovery. And even if you’re able to spend the occasional night off-site, you’ll still likely need to return at a predetermined time. Much like regular drug testing, this practice helps clinicians gather data about your recovery process—specifically your ability to keep your commitments and respect healthy boundaries.

Does Scientific Data Support Healing in a Therapeutic Community?

Significant research supports the idea that clients benefit from building community during recovery. Connecting with your peers not only gives you access to support; it also positions you to help the people around you. By empathizing with the people in your cohort, you may gain new insights into your own recovery process. As you develop mutual compassion and respect, you may also gain new confidence in your own role in the group.

However, much research is needed into the efficacy of TCs.12 Despite their lengthy history, there is little scientific data regarding their clients’ long-term recovery. One commonly cited study from the 1980s found that “nearly 30% of addicts treated in TCs maintain maximally favorable outcomes, while another 30% show significant improvement over their pretreatment status.” Because our clinical understanding of substance use has progressed so much since then, those findings may or may not reflect present-day outcomes.

More recently, a 2016 study found that “peer-led recovery support services13 may be a helpful addition to traditional professional services. More research is needed to make definitive recommendations.” However, it’s important to note that this is an analysis of specific peer-led services which may or may not be available in every therapeutic community. Based on related information, it’s very likely that TCs continue to have a positive long-term effect on recovery. But—just like any healing modality—treatment in a therapeutic community may be best when combined with traditional modalities, such as talk therapy and medical care.

Is a Therapeutic Community Right for You?

There’s no doubt that therapeutic communities offer a unique approach to recovery. This type of environment might be a good fit for clients who want to focus on improving their interpersonal relationships and developing life skills. And because residents may gain off-site privileges during their stay, this model may be especially appealing to people with certain commitments, such as work, school, or family responsibilities.

However, some clients may find that the lifestyle of a TC is incompatible with their own needs. For example, highly visible people—especially high-level executives and those with celebrity status—may require greater discretion. Others may need specialized medical care that isn’t available in this environment. And if you feel that you would benefit from more structure, or a greater level of protection from the outside world, you might consider attending a more traditional rehab program.

It’s also possible to take a combined approach, and attend a TC after completing detox or another inpatient treatment program. And, at any rehab, you can find ways to participate in a community both during and after the program. Even individual treatment programs may allow you to connect with loved ones during your stay. Whatever modality feels right for you, remember that healing your relationships is an important part of recovery.

To learn more about this approach, explore our list of therapeutic communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Therapeutic Communities in Addiction Treatment

What is a therapeutic community in addiction treatment?

A therapeutic community in addiction treatment is a supportive environment where individuals in recovery live together, fostering personal growth through peer support, self-help, and shared responsibility.

What are the benefits of a therapeutic community in addiction treatment?

Therapeutic communities in addiction treatment provide a sense of belonging, support, and accountability, helping people develop life skills, coping strategies, and form healthy relationships.

How does a therapeutic community in addiction treatment promote recovery?

Therapeutic communities promote recovery by offering a structured environment for building healthy relationships, encouraging self-reflection, personal growth, and the development of healthier behaviors and coping mechanisms.