Relapsing after a programme of rehabilitation is not uncommon. Many addicts will suffer at least one relapse, with some relapsing numerous times before they finally learn how to live a sober life. However, those who do suffer a relapse may feel disappointed and upset that their hard work has been for nothing.
Many individuals who suffer a relapse feel as if they are back to square one again while some will fall completely off the wagon because they fear that the damage has already been done. They feel they have let themselves and their loved ones down, and it can be difficult to motivate themselves to get back on track. Nevertheless, one relapse does not mean that the person should forget about all of their hard work. It is possible to renew a sense of motivation for recovery, and there are a few ways to do this.
Learn from Others Who Have Relapsed
Remember that you are not the first person to relapse and you will certainly not be the last. The important thing is to learn from this and move on. Speaking to others who have been in this position before and who have come out the other side is very helpful. You can learn how they managed to get back on track, and this will help encourage you to do the same. Try not to feel embarrassed about your relapse because it is quite common.
Think about the Destructive Effect Your Addiction Had
Returning to addiction can have a devastating impact. Some recovering addicts will lose their life when they relapse because they have spent a period abstaining from drugs or alcohol and their body’s tolerance to it has diminished. Nonetheless, if they try to take the same quantity of drugs or alcohol that they did before they quit then they may suffer an overdose.
Substance abuse can also cause adverse physical and mental health issues, so quitting again as soon as possible is the best thing to do.
Think About Why You Quit in the First Place
There must have been a good reason you entered a rehabilitation programme in the first place. It may be because you finally saw the way it was having a negative impact on your life and the lives of those you love. It could be because you suffered a health scare or near-death experience. Whatever the reason, it was enough to make you want to live a life of sobriety so remembering this could help motivate you to get your life back on track.
Use This Experience as a Learning Curve
The fact that you have suffered a relapse may mean that you had become complacent about your sobriety. This can often happen when individuals have been sober for a while. They will assume that they no longer need to attend meetings while some will feel that they can have ‘one’ drink without any consequences. Nevertheless, they quickly learn that the taste for a particular substance or desire for a particular high is still there.
One of the most important things to learn from relapse is that addiction recovery requires a long-term effort. For most people, it is essential to abstain altogether from the substance they were once addicted to. Group support can be an important tool to staying sober with some recovering addicts attending meetings for many years, and others for the rest of their lives.
Getting the Right Support
If you have suffered a relapse, you will need someone to speak to in order to get you back on track. Addiction Helper has a team of dedicated professionals working hard to support those in need of help. Contact us today and we will do everything we can to get you on the path to recovery once again. Addiction advice is necessary for you at this stage. Seek for the help you can get from professional organisations such as Addiction Helper.