You might think that once a person with a substance use disorder recovers, their struggle with addiction has ended. However, addiction is an ongoing battle that can continue long after recovery. Many clients in recovery find themselves looking for ways to avoid the substance that once gave them pleasure. To address this issue, rehabilitation centers place a heavy emphasis on relapse prevention.
Recovery Ranch Tennessee provides relapse prevention plans to help clients avoid potential triggers and maintain their sobriety for the long term. To learn more about addiction relapse prevention at Recovery Ranch Tennessee, call us at 1.844.876.7680.
What Is Addiction Relapse Prevention?
Relapse prevention refers to the ongoing therapeutic measures taken to prevent clients from returning to their substance of choice after recovery. Detox and recovery centers can help clients maintain their sobriety by practicing a relapse prevention plan.
These prevention plans focus on redirecting attention by introducing clients to new hobbies, social connections, and other potential interests. Learn more about what a relapse prevention plan might entail below.
Parts of a Relapse Prevention Plan
A relapse prevention plan aims to help clients remain sober and avoid using their substance of choice. Maintaining sobriety can be difficult for many clients once they’ve recovered.
Relapse can occur due to any of the following factors:
- Feelings of shame or guilt over prior behavior
- Exposure to locations or people related to the addiction
- Lack of enthusiasm or boredom without the substance of choice
- Self-isolation to avoid potential triggers
Because different people may be vulnerable to different factors or triggers, each client will benefit from an individualized prevention plan. The following are four of the most common components of relapse prevention for sobriety.
Counseling
Counseling is an essential part of most relapse prevention plans. Many clients in recovery find themselves battling feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment over their prior substance use. These feelings can actually lead some individuals to begin using drugs or alcohol again.
With the help of experienced counselors, clients learn coping mechanisms designed to reduce guilt, shame, and embarrassment. The counselors teach clients how to manage negative emotions like stress, sadness, and anger. These emotions are common triggers for substance use, and managing them can help prevent relapse.
Exercise
Most relapse prevention plans incorporate physical activity, as it has shown numerous benefits for self-care. Getting regular exercise releases endorphins that boost mood and elevate positive emotions. Things like yoga, walking, and swimming can help decrease stress and other negative emotions.
Exercise also provides clients with a new hobby to occupy their time. A common challenge for former users is adjusting to a new daily lifestyle that doesn’t include their addiction. Creating a schedule that involves exercise or general physical activity can help alleviate feelings of boredom or the compulsion to use their substance of choice.
Group Activity
Relapse prevention for sobriety often involves group activity. Isolation is a common occurrence among those recovering from a substance use disorder. Once recovered, clients may feel the need to remove themselves from their community to avoid potential triggers.
While isolation may seem like an effective way to avoid relapse, the negative feelings of loneliness can actually encourage them to use again.
Participating in social activities helps those in recovery feel more connected to the people around them. Group activities like cooking classes, sports, or arts and crafts are effective ways to boost one’s mood and avoid negative emotions.
Addiction Relapse Prevention at Recovery Ranch Tennessee
Recovery Ranch Tennessee provides clients with comprehensive relapse prevention plans through counseling and other participatory measures.
To learn more about our relapse prevention, please call us at 1.844.876.7680 to schedule an appointment with our medical health professionals.
