Preventing Relapse by Using the Tools of Sobriety
You’ve been through it before. The struggle of those first minutes, hours and days of getting sober. Either as an addict or the loved one of an addict, you’ve been through it once. As it is much harder to get sober than to stay sober, why not use some of the tools that various treatment options give recovered addicts to prevent it. Understanding the opiate epidemic in America can shed light on the broader challenges faced by individuals in recovery.
Tool 1: Phone a Friend
Loneliness can be a major factor in relapse, that’s why it’s good to find new, preferably sober, friends. They can be people you met in treatment, members of groups and community networks, or even people online. No matter how you connected; what matters is that you do. These new friends will help to stave off the boredom that is often experienced in early sobriety. Additionally, they are great resources for ideas on how to deal with problems that arise in sobriety. Instead of grabbing a substance, these friends can help offer sober and responsible ways to deal with things.
Tool 2: Asking for Help
Remember that treatment isn’t a one and done option. It is an ongoing process. No matter how much sober time, there is always room for more treatment. So, if you find that you or someone you love is feeling like they might relapse, ask for help and revisit either a counselor, a meeting, or other addiction care that is available to you and refresh your treatment. Exploring dual diagnosis treatment can also provide additional support for those with co-occurring mental health issues.
Tool 3: Positive Thinking
Just because you or your loved one gets sober doesn’t mean problems won’t still arise. Life has challenges and those challenges can cause relapse. Addicts often began using to deal with problems, so when new problems arise so do thoughts of using. This is why positive thinking and gratitude lists can often become a prominent tool of sobriety. Thinking about the good things that have been gained due to sobriety often help to stave off relapse.
It is understandable to be worried about you or the person you love maintaining sobriety. Remember that worrying just shows how much sobriety means to you. By using the various tools of sobriety, especially the ones mentioned above, you or your loved one can remain sober, happy, and healthy no matter what.
His House Rehab offers industry-leading Drug Addiction Treatment Programs. Founded in 1994, we base our Drug and Alcohol Treatment programs on five key principles: commitment, honesty, integrity, respect, and service. These five principles guide us in all that we do and all the care we provide. Contact us today to see how we can help you or your loved one.
