Relapse prevention programs are cognitive-behavioral treatment programs designed to help individuals who have recently completed substance abuse treatment to avoid relapse and maintain their recovery. These types of programs focus on helping individuals to identify and change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their substance use, as well as providing skills for managing triggers and cravings. Relapse prevention techniques are typically taught in group or individual settings, and may be offered as an outpatient or aftercare service.
At Focused Addiction Recovery (FAR) in Wallace, North Carolina, our relapse prevention program can provide individuals with the tools and skills they need to reduce their risk of relapsing and maintain their recovery.
What Is
Relapse?
Relapse is defined as a return to substance use after a period of abstinence. It is a common occurrence among individuals in recovery and can be triggered by many different factors. Common triggers include stress, boredom, and negative emotions. A relapse prevention program can help individuals to identify their triggers and develop strategies for managing them. The program also teaches skills for coping with cravings and managing emotions.
How Does Addiction And Mental Illness
Occur Simultaneously?
There are a few different ways that someone might suffer from both an addiction and a mental illness. It’s important to note that addiction can sometimes be a symptom of mental illness, rather than two separate disorders. For example, someone with bipolar disorder might turn to alcohol to self-medicate when they’re experiencing mania.
Dual diagnosis treatment in North Carolina will take this into account when developing a treatment plan. Other times, someone might develop an addiction as a way of numbing the pain of their mental illness. This is especially common among people who suffer from PTSD or depression.
It’s also possible for someone to be predisposed to both mental illness and addiction because of their family history or genetic makeup.
What Are the Signs of Relapse?
Several signs may indicate that an individual is at risk for relapse. These include the following:
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
- Experiencing strong cravings for drugs or alcohol
- Socializing with people who use substances
- Being in places where drugs or alcohol are used
- Having access to drugs or alcohol
If you are noticing any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it is important to reach out for help. Our relapse prevention program in NC, can provide the support and guidance needed to avoid relapse and maintain recovery.
How Common Are
The Chances Of Relapse?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40-60% of individuals who receive treatment for substance abuse will relapse within one year. However, there is not really one answer to this question as the chances of relapse occurs on a situational and person-to-person basis. The probability of a relapse varies depending on many factors, including the individual’s level of motivation, support system, and ability to cope with triggers and cravings.
However, evidence-based research studies has proven, those who participate in a relapse prevention program significantly reduce their risk of relapsing by 50%, and are more likely to maintain their recovery.
It’s important to note that no treatment program is 100% effective and that there is always the potential for relapse, especially during the early stages of recovery and after just finishing treatment.
What Is a Relapse
Prevention Plan?
Relapse prevention is a plan to help someone stay sober after they have completed treatment for substance abuse. The program focuses on helping individuals to identify and change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their substance use. In addition to this, they provide skills for managing triggers and cravings.
The program is typically delivered in group or individual format and may be offered as an outpatient or aftercare service. Relapse prevention programs are important because they can help people maintain their sobriety and avoid relapse.
Outpatient treatment is a type of care that allows individuals to live at home and receive treatment during the day. This method of care is typically meant for those who struggle with milder forms of a substance use disorder. This can last anywhere from 3 months to over a year and includes 10-12 hours per week of therapy (individualized or group).
A relapse prevention program can help those in outpatient treatment by teaching them skills to avoid relapse and maintain their recovery. The program focuses on helping individuals to identify and change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their substance use, as well as providing skills for managing triggers and cravings. The program is typically delivered in group or individual format and may be offered as an outpatient or aftercare service.
Steps For Creating A
Relapse Prevention Plan
A relapse prevention program should focus on helping individuals to identify and change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their substance use, as well as providing skills for managing triggers and cravings.
Some tips for creating a relapse prevention plan and the steps to take include:
- Identifying your triggers – What are the things that make you want to use drugs or alcohol? These triggers can be people, places, things, or emotions.
- Avoid high-risk situations – If you know that certain situations make it more likely for you to relapse, do your best to avoid them. This may mean avoiding certain people, places, or things.
- Developing a support network – Recovery is easier with the help of others. Find people who you can rely on for support, whether it’s family, friends, or a support group.
- Practicing healthy coping skills – When you’re faced with triggers or cravings, it’s important to have healthy coping mechanisms in place. This could include things like exercise, journaling, or deep breathing exercises.
- Monitoring your relapse warning signs – It’s important to be aware of the warning signs that could indicate a relapse is imminent. These may include changes in mood or behavior, increased drug cravings, or contact with people from your drug-using past. If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s important to reach out for help right away.
Focused Addiction Recovery Can Give You The Tools To Lower The Risk Of Relapse
Recovery isn’t a cakewalk, but at our comprehensive outpatient treatment facility in North Carolina, we allow you to focus on what’s most important, healing and recovery. Asking for help is a major step, but you’re not alone! If you or a loved one are interested in finding out more, contact us here today to get started on a journey to new beginnings.
