When you’re working on your recovery, you may hope to make steady progress without encountering obstacles or self-doubt. But the truth is, recovery isn’t a paved path. It’s a road with peaks, valleys, twists, and turns.
At Maryville Integrated Care, we tell our clients that setbacks don’t equal failure. They mean you need to adjust your plan.
Relapse Happens in Stages
Relapse usually is not a single, isolated event. It often unfolds gradually, affecting you mentally and emotionally long before you return to drug or alcohol use.
First, you might stop taking good care of yourself, especially during periods of high stress. From there, you may begin dwelling on memories of your active addiction or telling yourself you can handle “just one time.”
If you spot this pattern, you should ask for help before a full relapse occurs.
Know Your Triggers
A trigger is anything that makes you think about or crave substances. These can be incredibly powerful because of how addiction changes your brain.
Triggers can be:
- Having a stressful day at work
- Running into a former drinking or drug buddy
- Hearing a song or visiting a place tied to your past
- Seeing people drink or use drugs on TV
You can’t always avoid triggers, but you can prepare for them. Make a list of situations that are risky for you and talk with your therapist, sponsor, or peer recovery specialist about ways to cope.
Some strategies might include:
- Calling a friend
- Meditating or going for a walk to calm down
- Leaving a situation early if you feel uncomfortable
- Attending a support group meeting
Surround Yourself With Support
Isolation feeds addiction. That’s why building a robust support system is important. Spend time with people who understand your goals and want to see you succeed.
Your support team might include:
- Trusted friends and family members
- People you met in treatment
- Members of your recovery group
- Your sponsor or peer recovery specialist
Let them know how they can help. Maybe you need someone to check in on you regularly, go to meetings with you, or help you find a new treatment program. You don’t have to do this alone.
Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out
If you feel yourself slipping, don’t wait until you have a crisis. Returning to treatment, revisiting therapy, or updating your aftercare plan are all smart and brave strategies.
Sometimes people relapse because they outgrow the strategies that worked well for them in the past. Maryville Integrated Care is here to help you figure out what’s missing and strengthen your foundation.
If you need more structure to keep you on track or a different approach to accountability, contact us today. Remember, every day you spend working on recovery is valuable.
