A short while after completing treatment, the recovering addict may sometimes wonder if he will ever again have fun. The healthy euphoria that new recovery brings into a person’s life post-rehab is sometimes called a pink cloud. After a while, however, the pink clouds of early sobriety may part, and those who are not working in a healthy program may end up relapsing. You could be doing many things to avoid a relapse, which are all strong building blocks in our relapse prevention education at Royal Life Centers at The Haven.
Embarking on the path to recovery from addiction is a courageous and transformative journey. At The Haven in Lacey, WA, we understand that maintaining sobriety requires ongoing commitment and support. Relapse prevention is a critical component of this process, equipping individuals with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate challenges and sustain long-term recovery. In this blog, we will explore effective relapse prevention techniques and how our dedicated team at The Haven is here to support you every step of the way.
Here are a few healthy ways to mitigate a potential relapse and continue living a life of sobriety in recovery.
Go to 12-Step Recovery Support Group Meetings
Those who attend meetings regularly are less likely to relapse due to the support that they receive from a sober community of like-minded peers in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Because self-isolation can trigger relapse by developing into depressive symptoms of hopelessness, newcomers are encouraged to reach out to other 12-step members for support in early recovery—with goals oriented toward building social bonds within a group consciousness. A strong, sober community and being active will help you avoid a relapse.
Work the 12-Steps in Recovery
AA and NA meetings for the early-recovering addict are significant to the extent that they provide a social context around which the newcomer may position his life. But it is also essential to work the 12 steps, which offer the person with an addiction a framework for understanding their recovery. Each step works like a formula for self-improvement, each following in a progression of spiritual growth and healing. There are also alternatives to 12-step groups that prevents relapse in those with a drug or alcohol substance dependency.
Find a Sponsor and Support System
We must first find a sponsor to admit to God, ourselves, and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. A sponsor is another program member who takes the newcomer through the steps, acting as a guide. Every program member has a sponsor, old-timers and newcomers alike, with this sponsor acting as an invaluable sounding board and support system for the person with an addiction. We encourage all of our clients to find a sponsor at the very beginning of their AA or NA journey, as the social bonds that we form with other addicts and alcoholics through working an honest program through the steps will prove crucial to healing. Participating in a program of recovery will aid you in avoiding a relapse.
Discover New Hobbies and Goals
With so much free time to fill, which we might otherwise have diverted into deviant modes of behavior, a recovering addict may experience boredom in a large way. Often, without hobbies or goals to fill the empty hours, the same boredom that led an addict to use drugs in the first place will surface as old behaviors and habits sometimes come to the forefront. Having goals can be empowering and can embolden a person’s desire to live—not only to get out of bed in the morning and survive but happily to thrive.
Avoid Triggers Like People, Places, and Things
As they sometimes contain painful memories of the past, old people one knew and places one frequented while using drugs can trigger a relapse. Addiction is a disease of disordered learning and resides in a person’s memory—which is why we advise that anybody who is in early recovery relearn healthy behaviors by abiding by routines that include measurable tasks, such as making up one’s bed in the morning, eating a balanced meal, having healthy social interactions, and going to meetings. These, along with learning a coping strategy or two, prevents relapse and helps people move on to a brighter future.
Addiction Aftercare in Lacey, WA at The Haven
Our program at the Royal Life Centers at the Haven detox is one wholly step in the philosophy of the Twelve Steps. Because detox from drugs and alcohol does not last very long—and is often a prelude to longer-term care—we encourage each of our clients to follow their detox protocol with our residential treatment, where they will further learn how to identify their triggers.
Preventing relapse is an ongoing journey that demands vigilance, self-awareness, and a robust support system. By implementing personalized strategies and fostering a proactive mindset, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of relapse and build a fulfilling, substance-free life. At The Haven in Lacey, WA, we are committed to providing comprehensive care and unwavering support to help you navigate the complexities of recovery. Remember, you are not alone on this path—our experienced professionals are here to guide and empower you toward lasting sobriety.
Just as addiction develops through self-conditioning, self-improvement is possible through that same process of learning. If you or a loved one find yourself currently in the thick of addiction and have decided that you are ready to lead a new way of life, contact the Royal Life Centers at the Haven detox today. You can also call to speak with our drug and alcohol treatment intake staff, which is available 24/7 at (877)-RECOVERY.
