How to Prevent Alcohol Relapse

Relapse prevention is a strategy for reducing the probability and intensity of relapse after problematic behaviors have been reduced or stopped. For many alcoholics in recovery, relapse is an unhappy truth. You are not a failure if you relapse. It is a common period of the healing process. A single drug for which rehabilitation can be very difficult is alcohol, and relapse is prevalent.
We’ll talk about how to avoid alcohol relapse in this blog. Recovery and replacing unhealthy drinking habits can be facilitated by knowledge of drug and alcohol relapse prevention plans, their various forms, and relapse prevention therapies. This shows how chronic addiction is and how important it is to receive continuing care and support.

What is Alcohol Relapse?

Alcohol relapse occurs when someone comes back to drinking after silence. Relapse is the term for when someone in recovery from an addiction reverts to their previous drinking patterns. It happens commonly because stress, anxiety, or depression can lead to a relapse in the harmful behavior. According to data, 45 to 65% of persons with substance abuse disorders relapse. Drinking one time in a while is not cause to step back and start all over again.

Different Types Of Alcohol Relapse

Many people mistakenly believe that relapse is a single instance in which an individual resumes using alcohol. Relapse, however, is a process that happens in phases, and recovery and prevention may depend on a knowledge of these phases. Emotional, mental, and physical aspects are all part of recovery, which is more complicated than an unexpected slip-up.

Emotional Relapse

This emotional disruption can lead to relapse if left untreated. If they are not considering drinking. Then a person may come across stress, anxiety, or even depression during the second stage, even

• Someone in recovery can begin cutting off contact with friends and their support system.
• They may ignore self-care by not exercising, eating less, or sleeping insufficiently.
• They might be preventing their feelings, avoiding conversation about them, or failing to ask for support when necessary.

Symptoms

• Stress
• Emotional Instability
• Sleeplessness
• Anger or irritability
• Unhealthy eating habits
• Less active participation

Mental Relapse

When people start to think about alcohol more, they idealize their previous drinking habits or trick themselves into believing they can “just have one drink”. This condition happens when some has a mental relapse.

• Imagining past drinking and focusing on the enjoyable moments rather than the negative effects.
• Preparing a strategy for managing their alcohol consumption in the event of a relapse.
• Continuously searching for individuals or situations that may promote drinking.

Symptoms

• Urge to drink
• Lying or being misleading about their thinking and emotions
• Reflecting on people, areas, and items connected with past drinking.
• Deal with their efforts about when or how they could drink again.

Physical Relapse

Where alcohol is consumed. The other stages may have existed for some time by this stage of the relapse.

• Someone can visit a bar “just to socialize” but wind up drinking.
• Thinking they can avoid the temptation, they might go see an old friend who drinks, but they end up drinking.
• Purchasing alcohol in case they choose to consume it

Prevent Alcohol Relapse Tips

Expanding & Diversifying Your Network

People whose understanding of your journey & are supportive are in the company of peers, family, or friends. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) may create a sense of accountability or community by attending support groups regularly. For example, sharing your experiences at a weekly alcoholics anonymous meeting can help you remember that you are not alone. Deep advice is given by people who are further along in their recovery than you are.

Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Searching for helpful ways to control your emotions or stress. You can better manage triggers by doing things like yoga, taking medication, exercising, or taking up a hobby. For example, jogging can release endorphins & elevate your mood when you’re feeling anxious or stressed.

Recognise & Stay Away From

Looking at which situations, people, or locations make you want to drink. Your risk of relapsing can be significantly decreased by avoiding these triggers or by having a strategy to deal with them. It might be wise to avoid a particular bar or social gathering if you know it could tempt you, or bring a friend who can encourage you instead.

Following Planned Routine

You can keep focus & minimize the urge to engage in unwell behaviors by continuing a regular planned routine. Continuing activities, healthy meals, exercise, & sufficient sleep should all be a part of your routine. A balanced or probable day can be achieved, for example, by choosing specific times for meals & relaxing activities.

Explore Counseling & Therapy Options

Common sessions with a counselor or therapist can give you the ability or methods you need to control cravings & deal with the basic problems that create alcohol consumption. You can recognize & change harmful thought patterns that contribute to drinking with the aid of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Personalized Relapse prevention strategies

It can be quite beneficial to have a thorough plan for what to do if you feel the need to drink. Contact details for your support system, emergency plans, and a reminder of your sobriety decision should all be included in this plan. In this case, you could read through a list of the reasons you chose to stay sober, call a friend, or take a walk if you sense a craving coming on.

The Role of Treatment in Relapse Prevention

Relapse may be a sign that care needs to be changed or restarted. It is essential to continue treatment for the duration of the program. Professional treatment can help with controlling both the physical & mental aspects of addiction for support recovery.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a foundation of modern addiction treatment, is a powerful tool for promoting greater sobriety & preventing relapses. Many patients find that taking part in some kind of aftercare after formal treatment is beneficial. After completing an inpatient or residential program, this can include living in a sober living facility or going to 12-step meetings.

Conclusion

In this blog, we learn and gain knowledge about preventing alcohol relapse. We discussed all the important factors, types of alcohol relapse, and the role of treatment in relapse prevention. Relapse risk can be significantly decreased by incorporating these relapse prevention strategies into your daily routine.