Relapse Prevention in Newburgh New York 845-245-2395

What is Relapse Prevention?

Relapse prevention involves a consistent and diligent process of preventing the resumption of substance abuse behavior. It is feasible when triggers are understood and prevention techniques are learned and utilized to stop relapse at the onset. This also necessitates learning the signs and symptoms of an encroaching urge to use drugs again. Education is a key element in relapse prevention training.

Resuming drug use after a short or long period of abstinence is referred to as a relapse. Anyone who has ever tried to stop drug abuse, and began using again, understands how emotionally devastating it can be. And whether you experienced sobriety for a few days, weeks, months or years, it can be very discouraging and also dangerous.

Those who receive relapse prevention training benefit significantly from understanding how relapse triggers put them at risk. People in recovery who relapse, may not understand that their tolerance level for the drugs has shifted after detox and during abstinence. During a relapse, if the individual tries to consume the same amount of drugs they once did, they may experience a drug overdose. For this reason, relapse prevention education and training is vital to the recovery process.

Rehab treatment centers teach clients about the process of relapsing and how to identify the warning signs and the triggers that make them prone to relapse. A high-risk situation can arise from a series of unexpected events such as a death in the family, a divorce, a change in finances or any equally traumatic event. However, while these can thwart your best efforts to stay sober, relapse prevention tools can help you to remain fully engaged in your own recovery process.

The Relapse Process

Stage one of a relapse primarily affects the individual's emotions. It produces feelings of anxiety, mood swings and emotional disconnect. This phase is usually associated with one or more emotionally charged, life-changing event. Recognizing that your loss of interest in maintaining your sobriety was preceded by an event in your life, however subtle, may help to take your mind off the desire to relapse and on the trigger or reasons you are feeling this way. The best way to stop a relapse at this point would be to reconnect with someone in your support team, call a rehab center for advice or tell a loved one who can help you to find your way out of this stage.

The second stage of a relapse involves a mental struggle. Here, the person is preoccupied with rationalizations regarding drug use. If you have arrived at this stage, a relapse is imminent if nothing is done to stop these thoughts. This is an extremely critical point as it poses a serious threat to your sobriety. Reaching out for help from a rehab center can make the difference between stopping the process and using drugs again.

At this final stage, you are physically involved in the relapse process. It means you are making plans or have already purchased drugs or alcohol and are emotionally and physically invested in resuming substance abuse. You are anticipating the experience and physically craving the drugs or alcohol.

Resuming substance abuse does not mean you have failed. It means that you did not get the help you needed in a timely manner to stop a relapse in its track. Relapse events can be fatal, so don't delay in getting help.

We can help you find the right treatment facility and rehab program that best suits your needs. Call Addiction Recovery Centers Newburgh today at (877) 804-1531.