Meditation for Relapse Prevention

The path to recovery is a courageous and transformative journey. It requires determination, resilience, and often a comprehensive set of tools to navigate the challenges that come with overcoming addiction or destructive habits. One such powerful tool is the practice of mindfulness meditation. Meditation not only deepens self-awareness and inner peace but can also be a formidable ally in relapse prevention. In this article, we explore how the practice of meditation can support individuals in maintaining sobriety, fostering emotional well-being, and fostering a strong foundation for long-term recovery.

The Foundations of Relapse Prevention

Before diving into the transformative potential of meditation, it is essential to understand the foundations of relapse prevention. Relapse occurs when an individual returns to a previously destructive behavior or substance use. To prevent relapse, it is crucial to address various aspects that contribute to its occurrence, including physical, emotional, and environmental triggers. By cultivating effective relapse prevention skills, individuals can minimize the risk of relapse and build a sustainable foundation for recovery. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention strategies are increasingly being used to help individuals develop these skills.

The Profound Impact of Meditation

Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years across various cultures for its remarkable therapeutic benefits. When integrated into a relapse prevention treatment strategy, meditation can significantly enhance an individual’s ability to navigate cravings, stress, and emotional triggers, thereby reducing the likelihood of relapse. By fostering a strong mind-body connection, meditation equips practitioners with invaluable tools to develop inner calm, self-awareness, and emotional resilience. Research has shown that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction can contribute to stress reduction and positive treatment outcomes.

Here are some key ways meditation techniques can empower individuals in their journey to relapse prevention:

Emotional Regulation and Self-Awareness

Meditation cultivates emotional regulation by promoting self-awareness and mindfulness. By engaging in regular mindfulness meditation practice, individuals gain insight into their emotional landscape, learning to recognize and navigate triggers effectively. This heightened sense of self-awareness is crucial for individuals in addiction recovery, particularly when dealing with the severity of relapse triggers and emotional turbulence.

Alleviation of Stress and Anxiety

The practice of mindfulness techniques activates the body’s relaxation response, reducing stress levels and anxiety. By embracing meditation as a coping mechanism, individuals can find solace in the present moment, untangling themselves from the overwhelming grip of stress. Studies, such as those from the University of Texas and University of Washington, highlight the effectiveness of meditation in stress reduction and the management of cravings during recovery.

Increased Resilience and Coping Skills

Through the practice of meditation, individuals develop resilience, enabling them to remain composed in the face of adversities. Meditation equips practitioners with effective cognitive control and attentional control, allowing them to respond rather than react to challenging situations, thus reducing the vulnerability to relapse prevention triggers. Mindfulness training also fosters an ability to manage physical sensations and emotional responses.

Heightened Focus and Cognitive Clarity

Regular meditation practice improves cognitive function and attention span, enhancing focus and decision-making abilities. By sharpening mental acuity, individuals can better evaluate potential risks and make informed choices, minimizing the chances of relapse. For example, studies on cortisol regulation show that meditation improves baseline values of stress hormones, supporting individuals in maintaining sobriety.

Enhancing Connection and Social Support

Meditation fosters a sense of inner connectedness, leading to enhanced relationships and supportive networks. By cultivating compassion and empathy through meditation, individuals strengthen their support systems, making them more resilient and less susceptible to isolation-induced relapse prevention triggers. Meditation also promotes participation in an aftercare program or a 12-step program, helping to maintain the progress achieved during initial recovery stages.

Meditation and Holistic Recovery Programs

Incorporating meditation into a comprehensive aftercare program or Residential treatment plan can provide lasting benefits. Adjunctive therapy methods, such as mindfulness, complement traditional treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy, ensuring that individuals in recovery are equipped with a broad set of tools for maintaining long-term recovery. Studies have indicated that mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement can lead to improved drinking outcomes and mental health outcomes for individuals battling alcohol addiction or other substance use disorders.

FAQs about Meditation for Relapse Prevention

Is meditation suitable for everyone in recovery?
Yes, meditative techniques can be beneficial for individuals in all stages of recovery. It is important to find a meditation style that resonates with your preferences and needs.
How often should I practice meditation for optimal results?
Consistency is key. It is recommended to practice meditation for at least 10-20 minutes daily. However, any amount of regular practice can contribute to the desired benefits. Studies have shown that daily meditation practice offers long-lasting positive effects on cognitive control and emotional regulation.
Can meditation replace other relapse prevention strategies?
No, meditation is most effective when used in conjunction with other evidence-based relapse prevention strategies, such as therapy, support groups, and healthy lifestyle choices. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and commitment therapy are two therapies that pair well with meditation techniques.
I find it challenging to quiet my mind during meditation. What should I do?
It is normal to experience a busy mind during meditation. The key is to observe thoughts without judgment and gently bring your attention back to your chosen meditation focus, be it the breath or a mantra.
Can meditation help with physical cravings?
While meditation may not directly eliminate physical cravings, it can help individuals develop inner resilience and cognitive control to navigate cravings in a more conducive manner. Pilot efficacy trials have shown that mindfulness training can reduce the intensity of cravings over time.

Nurturing Lasting Recovery Through Meditation

In the battle against addiction or destructive habits, relapse prevention is of paramount importance. The practice of mindfulness meditation holds the transformative potential to strengthen and safeguard individuals’ journey to lasting recovery. By cultivating emotional regulation, alleviating stress, enhancing resilience, sharpening cognitive abilities, and fostering connections, meditation becomes an indispensable tool for alcohol relapse prevention. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention helps individuals develop the inner strength and relapse prevention skills needed for sustainable recovery.

Build Your Relapse Prevention Plan

What Is a Relapse Prevention Plan?

A Relapse Prevention Plan is a personal method through which individuals recognize and cope with their triggers and high-risk situations involving abusive substances or situations. By following this plan, individuals are well guided on a step-by-step process of what to do in the event that the urge or craving to use abusive substances arises. This is an essential plan for anyone in recovery and needs to be reviewed on a continuous basis when new challenges arise or occur.

How To Create a Relapse Prevention Plan?

Writing an effective Relapse Prevention Plan really requires a great deal of contemplation and reflection about personal triggers, lifestyle factors, and coping mechanisms. A plan of this nature should generally be worked out with some sort of medical or psychological professional; however, here is a guide to help break things down in steps:

1. Identify Your Triggers

The very first thing to establish about a Relapse Prevention Plan involves understanding what situations, people, places, or emotions arise that would make one want to use substances. There could be many facets that may trigger an individual but they may include:

Stressful work situations	Parties or social gatherings
Loneliness or isolation	Arguments or conflict

By understanding exactly what triggers occur with a particular individual, there is better preparation and thought as to handling such a situation.

2. Develop Coping Strategies

Once an individual has identified their triggers, the next step is developing healthy coping mechanisms to deal with cravings. Some common strategies include:

Deep breathing exercises	This can calm the nervous system that controls the body’s involuntary functions.
Physical activity	Exercise can serve as a distraction and help alleviate stress or anxiety.
Journaling	Writing down your feelings can help you process emotions without turning to substances.
Reaching out for support	Contact a friend, sponsor, or therapist when you’re feeling vulnerable.

3. Develop an Action Plan

An action plan in this case is a plan that describes specific actions a person should make in the event of a high-risk situation. This may include leaving the setting they are in, utilizing one of their coping skills, or calling one of their dependable family members or friends for support.

4. Plan for a Slip

One needs to realize that slips in the process are not a personal failure but part of the healing process. At all times, one should consider what they will do in case a slip occurs. This may include calling a member of their support network, re-reading their Relapse Prevention Plan, or seeing their therapist. Having a plan can decrease the severity of the damage and have you back on track in less time to the recovery road.

5. Include Self-Care

Regular self-care will help in keeping your mind, body, and spirit healthy, which can reduce the risk of relapse. A person’s plan should ensure time is available for activities like:

Meditation or mindfulness

Healthy eating

Adequate sleep

What happens in Relapse Prevention?

Relapse prevention is a collaborative process by the clinician and the person currently in recovery. The process aims at the identification of high-risk situations and methods for dealing with such challenges without going back to abusing substances. In relapse prevention therapy, a couple of steps are taken usually in order for the person to recognize, avoid, or cope with situations that may lead them to relapse.

1. Identification of Potential Triggers

Understanding triggers is the cornerstone of relapse prevention. Triggers are events, situations, or even people that make one want to use drugs or alcohol. Identifying one’s triggers can assist in learning how to avoid or manage them. Common examples of triggers include:

Social pressures	Events in situations where friends or peers could offer substances or pressure the individual with the use of abusive substances.
Emotional states	Stress, anger, depression, or even excitement create situations where substance use and abuse are triggered.
Environmental factors	A place or person can serve as a stimulus that reminds someone of the good times associated with substance use and therefore lead back to it.

Clinicians can help individuals identify these triggers and develop strategies either to avoid them or to cope with the feelings they bring on. If you are not sure what your triggers are, try journaling your thoughts and feelings when you are tempted to use drugs or alcohol so that you can try to better understand where these urges come from.

2. Lifestyle Evaluation

The daily life of a person can significantly affect their probability of a relapse. In this regard, sleep, nutrition, exercise routines, and social networks may lower or increase the probability of contact with provocative stimulus. For example, disturbed sleep and poor nutrition increase emotional volatility in any person and thereby make the resistance to urges difficult to manage.

3. Coping Mechanisms

Coping skills play a paramount role in the process of relapse prevention. Through this, individuals acquire various cognitive and behavioral techniques to deal with their substance-use urges. Some of the commonly adopted coping strategies include:

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques	These types of techniques are very helpful in mastering the art of managing and reducing stress.
Problem-solving skills	Having a clear idea about common everyday problems that someone may face helps individuals deal with daily life difficulties without the use of substances.
Getting support	Friends, family, and support groups come in handy for such a fight against relapse or addiction.

A well-structured environment is needed to prevent the process of relapse in which persons recovering could enable themselves to grow in the recovery process. This could be removing substances from the house and avoiding social functions involving substances or even limiting association with people who would promote substance intake.

4. Ongoing Support

Relapse prevention does not just stop after a few sessions of therapy; a support network is very essential in avoiding recurrence. Long-term success needs constant and continued support through therapy, counseling, or group meetings. Surround yourself with people who support your sobriety and understand what you are going through. Support can come from family, friends, therapists, support groups, and sponsors. For this reason, accountability to a therapist, a peer support group, or a trusted friend is central to staying on the right track and not relapsing back into substance abuse.

Tips to Prevent Relapse in Substance Abuse Recovery

Substance abuse is a complex and challenging condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide and relapse prevention is key since 75% of subjects relapsed within 1 year of treatment. Achieving and maintaining recovery from substance abuse requires a comprehensive approach that addresses all aspects of addiction, including physical, psychological, and social factors. Recovery is a lifelong process that requires dedication, patience, and effort. One of the most significant challenges individuals in recovery face is the risk of relapse.

Relapse is the return to substance use after a period of abstinence. It’s common for individuals in recovery to experience relapse, and it can be devastating for their progress. However, relapse is not a sign of failure, and getting back on track is possible. Understanding the factors that contribute to relapse and developing relapse prevention strategies is crucial to maintaining sobriety.

Relapse prevention strategies for substance abuse include identifying triggers and high-risk situations and developing coping strategies to manage them. Triggers can include people, places, or things associated with substance use. High-risk situations can include stress, social events, or emotional turmoil. Developing coping strategies such as exercise, meditation, or seeking support from friends, family, or a therapist can help individuals manage triggers and high-risk situations.

What is the theory behind Relapse Prevention?

The Relapse Prevention Theory was first proposed in the 1980s by G. Alan Marlatt. Marlatt’s model is conceptualized under Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and places particular emphasis on the need to understand the psychological, emotional, as well as social processes leading up to relapse.

Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (CBT)	The relapse prevention is based on the fact that interconnections between thoughts, feelings, and actions serve as the backbone; hence, CBT addresses these issues. In the opinion of Marlatt, “the solution to preventing relapse resides in addressing the cognitive-based processes of substance use.” Recovering addicts often get into trouble due to their thoughts like, “I can have just one drink,” or “This isn’t gonna hurt me.” RP attempts to quash these poorly reasoned conclusions and replace them with healthier, more realistic ones to enable the individual concerned to make a better choice.
High-Risk Situations	This is based on the theory of Marlatt, who states that relapse to substance abuse is more probable in risky situations, such as when a person is exposed to triggers or an individual cannot manage their emotions appropriately. This can quickly snowball into a full relapse to the old use patterns. The risk of such a relapse to use in high-risk situations can be coped with better if one recognizes such situations as possibilities.
The Abstinence Violation Effect	The other important part of Marlatt’s model is the “abstinence violation effect,” which describes the negative emotional consequences following a lapse. Feelings of guilt, shame, or helplessness subsequent to a slip are more likely to make a person feel like a failure, and full relapse is a more probable outcome. The theory of RP teaches individuals to view the onset of a lapse as an event to learn from, rather than an “all-out” failure, and to refocus on their recovery plan in order to prevent a full-scale relapse.

Relapse Prevention Models

There are several relapse prevention models, all of which offer different means of developing an effective plan. Some of the most commonly used models are briefly discussed in the following paragraphs:

Marlatt’s Model	The cognitive-behavioral model developed by Marlatt’s is the most frequently used model for relapse prevention. This type of model places the emphasis on high-risk situations, the development of coping strategies, and cognitive distortions that lead to relapse.
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP)	This treatment model combines strategies of traditional relapse prevention with mindfulness practices. The goal is to increase individuals’ awareness of their thoughts and feelings so that they might respond with mindfulness rather than automatically acting on cravings or engaging in substances when they encounter a high-risk situation. The model of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention has contributed to a decline in the rate of relapse due to its effect on emotional regulation, thus reducing stress.
The Gorski-CENAPS Model	Developed by Terence Gorski, the Gorski-CENAPS model emphasizes the stages of recovery and the warning signs that may indicate a pending relapse. This model outlines a sequence of steps that can prevent a relapse, including recognizing the early signs, understanding the progression of relapse, and developing a daily recovery plan.
The Matrix Model	Initially designed for individuals recovering from stimulant addiction, the Matrix Model is a structured, multi-faceted approach that incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, family involvement, and regular drug testing. This model focuses on building a strong support system and accountability, making it effective for relapse prevention.

Additional Relapse Prevention Tools Workbooks and Worksheets

The Mission Consumer Workbook – Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration, Outreach, and Networking – This workbook is designed to assist individuals in maintaining sobriety and independence by integrating support systems, outreach, and networking. It includes strategies and exercises for supporting recovery and preventing relapse.

Relapse Prevention Workbook by Bradley A. Hedges, Ph.D., LPCC Psychologist – This in-depth workbook provides techniques to understand relapse and prevent it. This book contains psychological insights along with practical activities to help one implement personalized strategies for maintaining sobriety.

My Relapse Prevention Workbook by Montgomery County Emergency Service, Inc. – This workbook enables the individual to more systematically approach triggers and build coping strategies to prevent relapse. This is a workbook aimed at helping the individual walk through the process of constructing a recoverable life.

Cognitive Behavioral Relapse Strategies United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime – Using cognitive-behavioral techniques helps the client to understand and work through the thinking patterns that precede a full relapse. This program stresses the reinforcement of long-term sobriety by skill-building.

Relapse Prevention Workshop from Relapse Prevention Therapy And Relapse Prevention Counseling Workbooks – The purpose of this workbook is to prevent relapse in a workshop style by teaching therapeutic methods to individuals on how to understand and manage their risk factors. It contains interactive exercises and counseling tools.

Relapse Prevention Tool Worksheets by Peggy Ferguson, Ph.D. – This set of worksheets is geared to help a person learn how to identify and manage triggers, develop coping skills, and avoid relapse. They will show practical tools to increase resiliency while recovering.

Take Action Today

Creating a personalized relapse prevention plan is an incredibly significant part of long-term sobriety. Knowing what will trigger a relapse and developing individualized strategies for coping with it keeps people in recovery from sliding backward because of high-risk situations. Through the use of cognitive-behavior techniques, mindfulness, or another structured model of recovery, relapse prevention allows an individual to become actively involved in the process of recovery. Keep in mind, relapses do occur and can happen, but it does not define your recovery. Once you have a plan in place that is tailored best to your needs, you will be able to stay on the right track toward health and substance-free living.

If you or someone close to you is facing the problem of substance abuse, then this definitely needs professional attention. At Silicon Recovery, a wide array of addiction treatment programs is provided in order to help one get over their addiction and live sober. The program includes Partial Hospitalization, Outpatient Program, and Extended Care Support. Contact us today to find out more about our programs and to initiate the process of your path towards a healthier and happier you. Remember, recovery is possible, and you don’t have to go through it alone, especially when it comes to relapse prevention.

Did the Pandemic Cause People to Relapse on Opioids?

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many adverse effects, even outside the virus itself. Since the start of the pandemic, life has been upended for nearly everyone, including people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.

COVID-19 and Drug Addiction

Researchers observe increases in substance use and drug overdoses in the U.S. since COVID-19 was declared a national emergency in 2020. There are distinct challenges for people who have substance use disorders and are recovering.

Some of the reasons the pandemic has affected people with addiction or led to an increased likelihood of relapse on opioids and other substances include:

People have been dealing with anxiety about COVID itself for several years. There are worries about getting sick yourself. People also worry about their loved ones and their COVID-19 risk. With hundreds of thousands of deaths in the U.S. alone, many people know someone who has become seriously ill or died because of the virus. These are things that create negative mental health effects. When someone is dealing with anxiety, fear, or depression, they may turn to coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol. These are also feelings that could trigger a relapse if someone struggles with positive coping mechanisms.
The pandemic led to shutdowns and disruptions in normal life and routines, along with fears about the virus itself. When someone uses substances or is in recovery, something disruptive to their routine can lead to a drug craving, drug-seeking behavior, increased usage, or relapse.
Since there were shutdowns, many people lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Job loss and economic worries and contributors to alcohol and drug relapse. Stress-induced relapse is an enormous problem for so many right now.
Social distancing required that people not see their friends, family, and perhaps their recovery support network. For a period of time, many support and recovery groups weren’t meeting in person.
Health care wasn’t as accessible or available as it usually is, including mental health care. Telehealth options became more common during the pandemic, but they weren’t necessarily readily available at the beginning of COVID in the U.S.
An opioid use disorder or another addiction may raise the risk of severe illness with the virus that causes COVID-19. The use of opioids can slow breathing on its own. If you were sick and had respiratory symptoms, these could get worse with opioids. Like many other medical conditions, a substance use disorder makes you high risk.

Before the pandemic, the treatment infrastructure was strained and faced limitations. Now, even more, comprehensive services are needed.

Increases in Substance Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse, data shows significant increases in many types of drug use in the United States and among people with substance use disorders.

Researchers point to increases in the number of positive urine drug screenings ordered by legal systems and health care providers as evidence. In these reports, doctors are finding positive screens for cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine from past years.

Studies show that people in the U.S. are increasing their use of alcohol and cannabis. This is especially true among people with depression and clinical anxiety and people dealing with COVID-19 stress.

Record-Breaking Overdose Deaths in 2020

There was progress in the fight against the opioid epidemic before the pandemic. Overdose deaths were trending down for the first time in many years. Then, the pandemic happened, and all that progress seemingly vanished.

According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, there were an estimated 100,306 overdose deaths in the U.S. during 12 months, ending in April 2021. The increase was 28.5%, from the 78,056 deaths during the same period the previous year.

The CDC’s data shows opioid overdose deaths increased to 75,673 in those 12 months. Fentanyl deaths went up, as did deaths from psychostimulants like methamphetamine. Cocaine deaths increased, and deaths from natural and semi-synthetic opioids like pain medications rose.

Deaths due to overdose went above a million for the first time since the CDC started collecting data more than two years ago. A recent study released by the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the CDC, found 932,364 people died in the U.S. from a fatal overdose from 1999 through 2020. That doesn’t include the more than 100,000 deaths in 2021.

These deaths have gone up fastest among young and middle-aged adults.

The age group in particular with the highest rates is adults 35-44, and in that age bracket, drug overdose deaths went up 33% from 2019 to 2020. Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 saw the largest year-to-year increase in fatal overdoses. Deaths in this age group were up 49% in 2020.

Alcohol Use During the Pandemic

It’s not just drug relapse rates and the links between covid-19 and drug addiction that worry addiction professionals. Alcohol use soared during this time as well, among other addictive behaviors.

Researchers estimate a one-year increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic will lead to 8,000 additional deaths from alcohol-related liver diseases.
They estimate it will contribute to 18,700 cases of liver failure and 1,000 cases of liver cancer by 2040.
Excessive drinking among adults in the U.S. went up by 21% during the pandemic.
When an emergency was declared in the U.S., alcohol sales went up 54% during the initial week.
Excessive drinking stems from boredom and social isolation to using it as a coping mechanism.
Addiction specialists warn that a drinking problem doesn’t just mean excessively consuming alcohol. Other signs of problematic drinking can include having alcohol when you didn’t otherwise plan to, or in situations where you wouldn’t normally drink.

Warning signs also include alcohol impacting your work performance, your ability to take care of your household or family, or adverse effects on your relationships.

What Can Be Done?

For someone who experiences a relapse on opioids or other substances, the most important thing to do is get help right away. The longer you wait after a relapse, the more likely complications and negative outcomes will occur.

Most treatment centers and mental health facilities reopened, and support groups are meeting again, so there are opportunities to receive help.

There are also telehealth platforms where people can get help for addiction or relapse.

If you experience a relapse, you may need to go through treatment again to regain your footing on your recovery path.

If you’re experiencing new symptoms of a substance use disorder, you aren’t alone. There are so many factors contributing to substance abuse among people who maybe didn’t have problematic use habits before the pandemic.

If you’d like to learn more about specific steps you can take to combat substance abuse while we adapt to “the new normal,” please contact Silicon Valley Recovery at 408-547-4089.

Relapse Triggers: Ways to Avoid Relapse

In the context of treating addiction, relapse is the act of a recently abstinent addict returning to use of their addictive substance or behavior. In everyday language, relapse is commonly used interchangeably with the term “relapse into substance abuse,” which is considered the more general definition for returning to addictive behavior. Thus, addiction relapse may be a more appropriate term since not all addicts will return to abusing a specific drug or self-destructive behavior.

Addiction relapse results from the brain returning to addictive patterns of behavior that were overcompensated for in the past. Addiction relapse often occurs when a smoker begins associating situations and feelings with potential triggers for smoking, such as being in stressful situations during addiction recovery. Such stimuli can be reminders of past addictions, for example, drugs or alcohol. Once the brain develops patterns around the common relapse trigger and associates them with smoking, it may fall into old habits.

The process of relapse typically occurs in three stages:

Emotional relapse
Mental relapse
Physical relapse

What are the Common Addiction Relapse Triggers?

Substance abuse triggers are internal and external cues that cause a person in recovery to crave drugs and often relapse or lapse. A trigger for relapse is an emotional, environmental or social situation that drags up memories of drug or alcohol use in the past.

If you’re an addict or alcoholic reading this, you have probably gone through a relapse before. You know the signs, and you know how it feels. The potential for relapse is always there. It’s essential to learn about what addiction relapse triggers are if you want to avoid them so that you can remain sober in the future.

What are Internal and External Triggers?

External triggers are certain activities, locations, people, objects, images, situations, and events that can make you want to use drugs or drink alcohol.
Internal triggers are thoughts or emotions that make you want to use drugs or alcohol.

Relapse is a significant component of staying clean and sober. Relapse can be defined as the return to drug or alcohol use after a period of abstinence. Closely about one-third of people relapse within one month, more than half relapse by six months, and virtually all relapse within a year.

Having an understanding of why addiction relapse occurs may help you to keep from the risk of relapse. Here are five of the most common and often seen relapse triggers and ways to avoid triggers in recovery:

1. HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired

The HALT acronym is one of many simple tools we can use to improve our quality of daily life when facing addiction. Identifying situations that cause us to put ourselves in emotional discomfort helps us be more effective in handling them effectively. For instance, if we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, we become vulnerable to poor decision-making and relapse.

Naming the sensation allows us to take action that may help prevent a situation from turning into one with negative consequences.

2. Emotional Stress

Preventing relapse is a crucial part of the addiction recovery process; however, many individuals may not be fully prepared to cope with the common relapse trigger and temptations they encounter daily. These emotions can serve as reminders of a person’s history and former coping methods, inciting negative feelings of helplessness. When they feel like they are winning the battle against their drug addiction, a perceived negative emotion can lead them to use drugs or alcohol in the first place.

Anxiety is a symptom of relapse. Feeling powerless can trigger a potential relapse. Blaming others for your problems promotes relapse. Never being able to tolerate any discomfort puts you at risk for relapse.

3. Overconfidence

Reach the highest highs and the lowest lows. There’s no greater high than recovery, but that doesn’t mean you should get overconfident about your recovery. Overconfidence in recovery puts you at risk for relapse. Being optimistic about your new life as a sober individual is necessary, but becoming overconfident crosses a line from healthy confidence to self-satisfaction and addiction risk.

4. Social Isolation

Although your reliance on drugs or alcohol may have initially been your desire to fit in and feel part of a group, this reliance can easily lead to feelings of social isolation and loneliness over time. If you lack a support system to turn to when times are tough, or you’re feeling down, it can become easy to convince yourself that you need a drink or a drug of choice to help you through.

Social support is crucial to long-term recovery. To combat feelings of isolation, contact your nearest Narcotics Anonymous group or other 12 Step fellowship, and ask to be put in touch with a sponsor. Get involved in meetings and activities. This will help you build a recovery network and ease your loneliness.

5. Reminiscing

A major red flag that you have not truly accepted your addiction is when you reminisce about times from the past when you used it. This type of nostalgia is a way to romanticize your addiction, especially if you overlook all the suffering your addiction caused.

It’s important to remember that each drink or drug use was its separate incident with its consequences, emotions, and learning opportunities. These memories can stir up strong emotions that lead to the impulse to use a substance again. Objects in an individual’s everyday life may induce illicit drug cravings.

Holiday parties involving social drinking may be tricky. Avoid high-risk situations and locations. Some of the other people who may be triggering include former drug dealers, co-workers, employers, neighbors, spouses, or partners. Positive feelings can also serve as internal triggers.

Addiction is a chronic brain disease with a relapse rate similar to that of other chronic conditions like diabetes. Addiction is a ruthless master, always finding ways to trick the addict into believing that their behavior isn’t addictive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40 to 60 percent of people who are treated for substance use disorders will relapse at some point.

If you start to rationalize your addictive behaviors by viewing them through rose-colored glasses, then you are becoming an enabler to your addiction. Focus on the pain your addiction caused you and others. This is what will help keep you on the path to sobriety.

Family dynamics may influence an individual’s substance use abstinence self-efficacy. If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of addictive behavior and are looking for a way out, complete recovery from the relapse process is possible. First, it’s essential to seek help and treatment from a professional specializing in substance abuse or mental health disorders.

Getting Help

Since many individuals with substance use disorder also suffer from co-occurring disorders, seeking help from an expert who can assess and treat any underlying condition that may have contributed to your addictive behavior is crucial.

At Silicon Valley Recovery, we provide individuals with a comprehensive treatment plan to avoid the common triggers for relapse. We use a combination of professionally supported 12-step meetings, balanced medical care, and evidence-based therapy to give patients a relapse prevention plan that they need to avoid relapse and achieve long-term sobriety. our substance abuse treatment aims to help individuals recognize the early warning signs of relapse and develop healthy coping skills to thwart a possibility of relapse.

Give us a call today at 408-547-4089 and start the recovery process. We offer a wide range of addiction treatment programs to help you fight negative behaviors.