Despite graduation from reputable drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, many individuals relapse back into use during the first year of recovery. While relapses do occur, there are ways to guard against them as you begin walking your path of sober living. By preparing for your sobriety with mindfulness, honesty and determination during your time at The Orchid Recovery Center, you can maximize your sober potential.
Five Ways to Avoid Addiction Relapse
Here are a few practical ways to avoid addiction relapse and promote sobriety as you begin your new life after drug or alcohol rehabilitation.
- Make Preparations
Many cases of relapse center around lack of preparedness. Before you return home from your alcohol or drug rehabilitation center, carefully assess your environment, relationships, habits and pressures with an addiction counselor. Spotlight areas that might pose challenges to your newfound sobriety and together, make actionable plans for coping with such factors. Map out available support resources and tangible lifestyle changes, to ensure that you have a relapse prevention plan when triggers or temptations arise.
- Create a Healthy Environment
No one is indifferent to the environment that surrounds them. Making the return back home from inpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation can be difficult if your environment remains fraught with chaos, unkempt, disorganized, negative or promotes drug and alcohol use. Create a calming, organized space in the presence of trustworthy, sober companions.
- Avoid Burnout
One of the keys to maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse is to avoid taking on too much at a time. Give yourself time and space to heal by learning to say “no” to excessive personal demands, exceedingly long hours at work or a schedule that is too full. Make sure that you work time for relaxation, sober socializing, meditation and exercise into your schedule. Give yourself plenty of time cushion around your activities to avoid high stress levels. - Be Kind to Yourself
Avoid berating yourself or engaging in self-criticism. Foster your self-esteem by speaking kindly to yourself, avoiding unreasonable self-expectations or embracing a perfectionist, critical mindset. Stop to give yourself acknowledgment or small rewards for achievements, and practice affirmations to build your self-esteem.
