Relapse Prevention in Frisco, TX
Learning the necessary skills for relapse prevention in Frisco is a crucial element in the addiction recovery process. Relapse prevention programs are designed to teach recovering addicts new coping skills for managing cravings and living a productive lifestyle without the need for drugs or alcohol.
It's common for plenty of people to assume that getting clean is simply a matter of making it through medical detox in Frisco and they'll somehow be cured of their addiction. In reality, the detox process is just the beginning of the recovery process. Getting clean is just the start. Staying clean is an ongoing process that requires learning ways to avoid risky situations and reduce the risk of returning to a pattern of addictive substance use.
What is Relapse Prevention?
Relapse prevention in Frisco is a strategy designed to help recovering addicts develop a plan of action to stay clean and sober over the long term. Each person's strategy will be unique to them, as their own addiction triggers are all individual.
The key to developing a strong drug relapse prevention plan is to identify each person's unique addiction triggers before tailoring a series of positive actions that will help them avoid relapsing back into addictive behaviors.
Relapse Statistics amongst Addicts and Alcoholics
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse the relapse rates among recovering addicts after a period of abstinence are similar to those of other chronic health conditions. People with conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma are taught various ways to manage their conditions to reduce the risk of relapsing. If symptoms do recur or become worse, those people know to seek medical assistance immediately.
By comparison, if a person relapses after completing a comprehensive drug or alcohol rehab treatment program, addiction therapy programs in Frisco are compromised. Drug rehab therapy incorporates various strategies for relapse prevention in Frisco. The key to reducing the risk of relapsing back into a pattern of addictive behavior includes understanding that relapse is never an isolated event.
Stages of Relapse
Most people think that relapse means the person has returned to addictive substance abuse, or ‘fallen off the wagon'. In reality, the person progresses through several stages before actually taking that drink or using drugs again. The stages of relapse include:
Emotional relapse:
During the early stage of relapse, the person isn't even thinking about using. However, their actions and emotions could be setting them up for relapse unless they are addressed early. Common signs of early relapse include:
- Anxiety
- Isolation
- Anger
- Mood swings
- Lack of self-care
- Poor eating habits
- Poor sleeping habits
- Not attending group support meetings
- Not asking for help
Relapse prevention programs teach people in recovery to recognize the early warning signs and take positive action to stop them from progressing any further. When signs are identified and acted upon, it's possible to prevent relapsing and remain motivated to stay sober.
Mental Relapse:
If early signs of emotional relapse aren't recognized and acted on, it's likely the person will progress to mental relapse. During the mental relapse stage, a part of the person may want to remain sober, but the other part has begun thinking about using again. Signs to watch for include:
- Thinking about people or places associated with past use
- Glamorizing past use
- Associating with old friends who encourage using
- Believing the substance use is now under control, so ‘just one' won't hurt
- Fantasizing about using again
- Planning a relapse around other people to avoid getting caught
By the time a person starts thinking about using again, it's difficult to stop the process unless strong drug relapse prevention strategies are put into place. It's possible to learn new ways to manage cravings and control damaging thoughts using positive actions and strategies learned during rehab counseling.
Physical Relapse:
The act of returning to self-destructive substance abuse is called physical relapse. If the person doesn't use the tools and tactics learned during relapse prevention programs, it won't take long to progress from mental relapse to physical relapse.
The key to preventing a relapse back into dysfunctional behaviors is to learn to identify early warning signs and take positive action to regain control. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.