It would be wonderful if you could go through treatment for a substance use disorder and come out the other side confident that you would never have difficulties with drugs or alcohol again.
The fact of the matter, however, is that many people in recovery experience a relapse at some point in their journey. We want to be very clear that experiencing a relapse does not mean your recovery is forever ruined; instead, it indicates a need to get back to treatment so you can get a fresh start.
That said, it is always a good idea to have a good set of strategies that can help you ward off a relapse.
Stay on Top of Cravings
Cravings are bound to arise in recovery, and they can be very difficult to withstand. It makes sense then to have a clear picture of what sorts of people, places, and situations are most likely to give rise to cravings so that you experience them less often.
We took a look at different ways of thinking about cravings and their triggers in a previous post titled “Three Ways to Think About—and Address—Cravings.” In that post, we offered different framings for considering cravings—and provided ways to use those ideas to keep cravings at bay more often.
Be on the Lookout for Warning Signs
When you are in recovery, there will likely be times when everything seems to be going quite smoothly as well as times when everything seems hard. In either of those cases (or in any case between those extremes), it is important to be vigilant so that you spot common warning signs that might indicate an increased risk of relapse.
For example, if you find yourself reminiscing about your time using drugs or alcohol, you should take heed. Similarly, if you find yourself avoiding your regular recovery activities—like 12-Step or other recovery meetings—or withdrawing from your supportive friends and family members, you are likely at an increased risk for relapse. Being intentional about getting back on track in these areas is a good idea.
Keep on Maintaining Healthy Habits
Eating healthily, exercising regularly, and sleeping restfully are all foundational habits for keeping your recovery on track. How important? Important enough that we considered each in detail recently in a post titled “Our Recovery Top Three for the Top of the Year.”
Good routines around food, exercise, and sleep support your physical health and your mental health. In turn, good physical and mental health supports your recovery. Making ongoing good choices in these areas is a great way to lessen the likelihood of relapse.
Lean on Good Habits of Mind
Sometimes, your own mind might seem like your worst enemy while you are working to keep your recovery intact. We mentioned above, for example, that reminiscing about your past substance use can be a warning sign indicating heightened risk of relapse. So, too, can ruminating about the past with a feeling of regret or shame. And worrying about the future can also chip away at the foundations of your recovery.
Practices like mindfulness and yoga can help you spend more time grounded in the present moment rather than thinking about the past or the future. That can be exceptionally beneficial in recovery.
Other positive habits of mind include leaning into affirmations as a way to quiet the critical voice in your head and maintaining a growth mindset that opens you up to a whole world of possibilities for yourself.
Turn on a Tendency to Mark Milestones
Being in recovery is a reason to celebrate—but it can be difficult to remember that when things get tough. One way to ensure that you always remember that your recovery has improved your life in immeasurable ways is to give yourself permission to celebrate milestones.
You can see the importance of this practice in things like the Alcoholics Anonymous sobriety coins (often referred to as “chips” because they tend to be around the size of a poker chip). Earning the next coin on your recovery journey is a small but important celebration of your success in recovery.
We encourage you to find healthy ways to mark personal milestones—not just in recovery but in your life more generally. Marking the moments that are positive in your life can help motivate you to maintain your recovery.
We’re on Your Side
At Wooded Glen Recovery Center—located in Henryville, Indiana—we are committed to helping each individual we serve reclaim their life from drugs or alcohol. We do this by relying on evidence-based practices and bringing to bear our expertise, experience, and empathy.
We offer medically supervised detoxification to ensure you can get substances out of your system in a safe and temptation-free environment. Rehabilitation follows detox and is built around group and individual therapy sessions that can also address any mental health disorders that may be entangled with a substance use disorder. And when treatment comes to an end, we provide ongoing support and resources to ensure you can start your recovery journey with confidence.
When you are ready to start living again, we are here to help you learn how.