For those struggling with an addiction to alcohol or drugs, relapse is a breaking point within a period of sobriety. Individuals who are sober for one complete year have relapse rates below 50%, and individuals who are sober for a full five years see relapse rates below 15%. Although relapse doesn’t equate to failure, it can be a huge setback. It is good to learn about what triggers a relapse in order to avoid it, and successfully stay on the path towards complete recovery.
- Stress
One of the most common emotions that triggers a relapse is stress. After going through a rehabilitation program, it can be daunting to re-enter society and begin working, balancing a busy schedule, or mending old relationships. That’s why it is crucial to attend a treatment center where coping mechanisms are taught to help deal with stress and avoid relapses.
- Inappropriate Surroundings
One of the most obvious things that triggers a relapse is the environment. Being surrounded by people who drink or abuse drugs is never good for someone struggling with addiction. As obvious as it sounds, abstaining from these tempting environments can go a long way in decreasing the chances of a relapse.
- Depression and Anxiety
It isn’t uncommon for addiction to be accompanied by anxiety or depression. Of the over two million individuals who enter rehab in the United States each year, as many as 500,000 suffer from one or both of these psychological problems.
Both depression and anxiety can cause emotional trauma, causing patients who have abstained from alcohol or drug use to experience cravings. Patients might believe that drug or alcohol use will help end these feelings, but that is a deceptive thought. By attending a rehab program, patients can address underlying issues causing depression or get prescriptions to help reduce anxiety.
- Preventing Triggers of Relapse
Staying in alcohol and drug rehab longer have a decreased chance of triggering a relapse. If you truly want lasting rehab, consider following up detox with more rehab programs including:
- Residential rehabilitation centers
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Outpatient rehab programs
Aftercare programs provide continuing support to avoid relapse triggers like stress. These maintenance or transitional programs include:
- Aftercare program
- Continuous individual, group, and family therapy
At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addition and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs at Asana Recovery are offered in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. We’re deeply committed to ensuring your long-term recovery, and guiding you on your path to a healthier and happier future. There is no better time than now, and we’re always available to speak with you. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
