We’re starting with the bad news in this blog entry: Every person who is in recovery from a substance use disorder is at risk of relapsing.
It would be wonderful if going through treatment for a substance use disorder was a one-and-done proposition. A person could go through detoxification and rehabilitation and then move on with their lives confident that they would never struggle with drugs or alcohol again.
But a substance use disorder is a brain disease that is treatable but not curable. And that means a relapse remains a possibility after completion of treatment.
Still, despite this reality, there is good news, too: There are things you can do to lessen the chances that you will experience a relapse.
Let’s take a look at four ways to make a relapse less likely.
Good Physical Health Supports Ongoing Sobriety
While you were in the grips of a substance use disorder, there is a good chance that your physical health suffered. Drugs and alcohol can ravage the body over time, and so your recovery journey may be beginning with physical health in shambles.
Making progress toward better physical well-being is an essential practice for staving off a relapse. That means getting regular exercise, eating healthily, and getting enough quality sleep. Each of those things might seem daunting in the beginning, but it is okay to start small.
Add a 10-minute walk to your day. Replace a daily soda with a glass of water. Get intentional about powering down your screens a couple of hours before you head to bed. Making those changes can give you the motivation to make more changes that can lead to better physical health. And when your body feels good, you are less likely to return to drugs or alcohol.
Good Mental Health Supports Ongoing Sobriety
Like your physical health, your mental health was likely negatively affected by your struggles with drugs or alcohol. There is also a reasonable chance that a mental health disorder is entangled with your substance use disorder. It is not terribly important to figure out which caused the other. Rather, it is important to keep in mind that better mental health and ongoing sobriety go hand in hand.
Improving your mental health can involve ongoing therapy, medication, or both (keeping in mind that your doctor needs to know about your history with drugs or alcohol in order to make a good determination about mental health medication).
You can also support your mental well-being by getting regular exercise, eating healthily, and getting enough rest (sound familiar?). Finding ways to reduce your stress levels is also a great way to work toward better mental health in support of your sobriety.
Staying Present Supports Ongoing Sobriety
Many times, people spend a significant amount of time replaying the past or worrying about the future. That can be especially true for a person in recovery, because they may have many regrets about past behaviors and time lost to drugs or alcohol, and they may worry that a relapse is inevitably in their future.
That is why learning to stay focused on the present moment is such a powerful strategy in recovery. Living in the present changes your outlook from one of regret or worry to one that is experiencing the moment—whatever it may bring—you are currently in. Maintaining that outlook can help you stay sober moment by moment.
One way to cultivate an increased ability to stay present is to practice mindfulness. You can learn more about mindfulness practice—including how to get started—in this blog post.
Your Recovery Community Supports Ongoing Sobriety
The recovery journey is best taken with others who know just what you have gone through—and what you are going through now. That is why attending 12-Step or other recovery program meetings on a consistent basis is so important to ongoing sobriety.
It is also why French Creek Recovery Center offers a robust aftercare program for our alumni. Our program offers ongoing support, a network of others who have gone through treatment with us, and a range of substance-free activities to participate in. Alums also have access to the CaredFor app, which provides ongoing tips and education while keeping folks in touch with one another for mutual support.
By making a conscious choice not to go it alone, you give yourself a much better chance of avoiding a relapse. And if you do experience one, you will be surrounded by those who will continue to support you as you return to treatment to regain your sobriety again.
Let’s Get Your Sobriety Journey Underway
If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, French Creek Recovery Center can help. Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, French Creek offers personalized care for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. You can count on us to help you regain your sobriety and then to provide the resources, strategies, and support you need to maintain that sobriety over time. If you are ready to take back control of your life, we are ready to help.