Addiction Relapse Prevention Services

Relapse prevention education can help prevent overdose after treatment ends. It’s not uncommon for people who complete a treatment program to return to substances, though this behavior comes with a high risk of overdose as the patient’s tolerance is often much lower than before treatment. In 2020, there were nearly 92,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States. Relapse prevention techniques help avert overdoses to keep you safe.

Learning about the causes of your drug or alcohol use can help prevent future use. You can then use relapse prevention skills to combat those triggers and keep you safe. Learning about yourself is helpful for relapse prevention and identifying any mental health conditions that could impact your well-being and contribute to substance use. 

Studies show approximately 7.7 million people have co-occurring mental health disorders and SUDs. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, patients can receive treatment for health conditions that might trigger drug or alcohol use and learn coping techniques to manage symptoms. Therapy is also an excellent way to encourage growth as it helps identify emotions or thought processes that you might adjust to improve as a person.

Most relapse prevention skills include building new and healthy habits. Being able to take care of your body lends itself to healthy and sustainable relapse prevention. Relapse prevention often includes getting proper sleep and exercise, eating healthy, and participating in activities that are good for the mind and body, such as therapeutic art or being in nature.

Recreational activities can improve overall health and help people prepare for life after treatment. When you enter an addiction treatment center, you’ll create a routine focusing on self-care and activities promoting happiness and well-being.

Most importantly, relapse prevention techniques help you stay sober and achieve a happier, healthier lifestyle without substances. Healthy coping skills can help you grow and advance with a more positive, hopeful mindset.

First, we’ll conduct an assessment to appraise your history. Our skilled counselors will determine factors that could lead to recovery stumbles. For instance, maybe you have a co-occurring mental health disorder. In this case, experts can provide a dual diagnosis and create a plan to address both diseases. A comprehensive treatment plan is essential to prevent relapse.

Next, we’ll work together to write a detailed relapse prevention plan. Essentially, we’ll map out your responses to triggering scenarios to develop effective techniques to help you in these situations.

For instance, you might plan to attend a support group meeting when feeling lonely. Similarly, you might list a friend to call in times you’re experiencing emotional pain.

Other emotional relapse prevention strategies might involve:

• Relaxation and mindfulness: Meditation, deep breathing, and other mindfulness exercises can help you focus on the present and get out of your head when you feel overwhelmed or in distress.
• Self-care: While helpful, treatment can sometimes feel emotionally and physically draining. To combat these emotions and get the most out of treatment, you might follow a self-care routine at the end of the day, such as participating in your favorite hobby or relaxing with a good book.

Next, our counselors will provide the tools you need to stay sober. You’ll also learn healthy alternatives to drugs for relapse prevention. Potential activities or hobbies you might incorporate into your routine at Gateway Foundation inpatient treatment include:

• Journaling
• Therapeutic arts
• Sports and exercise
• Group games
• Hiking

In moments when you are thinking about relapse, it’s essential to have a sobriety toolbox. You can learn these necessary tools in addiction treatment and relapse prevention training. 

Lastly, we recommend aftercare services that offer a vital support resource for anyone recovering from addiction. We provide multiple options across our 16 U.S. locations, including:

• 12-step recovery: 12-Step meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are excellent support resources for people new to recovery. As part of your membership, you’ll work with others to stay sober, follow the 12 steps of recovery, and aim to meet important sobriety goals.
• Alumni programs: Gateway Foundation is passionate about our aftercare alumni programs. These events bring former patients together to discuss recovery and the hopes for a great future. Alumni meetings are an excellent time for everyone to celebrate recovery.
• Sober living access: For additional support from relapse triggers, patients can distance themselves from drug or alcohol addiction in a sober living home. The house will help you develop more structure and self-care practices as you build your support resources. Sometimes, group members from these sober living homes become an excellent source of support in the future.
• Additional outpatient counseling: Sometimes, additional outpatient counseling is all it takes to keep you on the path to recovery. Following inpatient services, outpatient care can be a powerful form of relapse prevention. You can attend therapy programs at regularly scheduled times or on an as-needed basis to accommodate your schedule.

Fortunately, there are warning signs of relapse you can look out for before it can occur. These include:

• You start isolating yourself from family or friends or your support system or missing AA or NA meetings. 
• You stop taking care of yourself or notice you aren’t sleeping or eating well and neglecting your hygiene.
• You begin experiencing more cravings.
• You begin to experience emotions that disrupt your daily life, such as depression, stress, loneliness, or anger.
• You begin finding yourself triggered by internal or external factors more than usual. 

If you happen to relapse, remind yourself that the earlier you take action, the better. Judging yourself won’t help, so try acknowledging that you are not perfect and all humans make mistakes. What’s important is to take the necessary action to prevent yourself from a complete relapse. That might include attending a support meeting, making an appointment with your counselor, or talking to friends and family. 

If you feel your existing support system isn’t enough, consider returning to a treatment program for help.

If you believe you are in the beginning stage of relapse, there are several tips you can try to avoid advancing to the next stage. The most important one is self-care. Taking better care of yourself is essential to prevent feeling mentally or emotionally drained to the point you return to substance use. For instance, eating correctly and getting enough sleep can prevent exhaustion and the craving to drink or use substances. 

Asking for help is also essential. Never be afraid to turn to a close friend or family member who can help you through your anxieties. Having a support system is vital at this time and that’s why at Gateway Foundation, we provide aftercare programs that keep you connected to counselors, health providers, and peers in times of need.