If you’ve been driving down the road to recovery, you may encounter some bumps along the way. These “bumps” occur as relapses. A relapse can make you feel like you’ve failed, and you may think that you should just give up. However, using the car analogy, if you got into a minor car accident, you wouldn’t give up driving altogether, right? With addiction and substance use disorders, a relapse can feel disappointing, but it is not the end of the road. Get back in the car and start driving forward.
Let’s be clear – a relapse does not erase your recovery. To use another analogy, if you were on a weight loss journey, and gained back a couple of pounds, would you give up altogether? Getting back on track from a relapse is key to having a successful recovery.
Stop the Bleeding
If you’re experiencing a relapse, the first thing you should do is attempt to “stop the bleeding” as soon as possible. If you relapsed on a Tuesday, don’t wait until the following Monday to address it. Rather, consider the options that are available to you. Speak to a trusted friend or family member. If you are seeking outpatient services, such as at a facility like Victory Recovery Partners, be open with your counselor and explain to them what you’re battling. Putting an end to the relapse as soon as possible is key for allowing you to drive over the “bump” and get back on track.
Recognize That You Didn’t Fail
This is very crucial to getting you back on track. Understand that a relapse is not a form of failure. Zoom out and look at your overall progress throughout your recovery journey. If you tell yourself you failed, this could lead to a longer relapse, or in the worst-case scenario, you may give up trying to recover altogether.
Try to Understand Why You Relapsed
Noticing patterns in your life, including the triggers and stressors that caused the relapse are key. By understanding why you relapsed, you will have the insight needed to help prevent another one from occurring. For example, did something happen in your life that put extra stress or pressure on you? Was there an issue at work or in your personal life? Taking some time to reflect on the “why” will allow you to see these patterns in the future to avoid another relapse. Once you have understood why you relapsed, it would be beneficial for you to speak with your counselor or a trusted family member or friend. Getting those thoughts out of your head and spoken out loud to a trusted source will relieve much of the ongoing anxiety and stress that you feel regarding the relapse.
Take it Easy and Be Kind to Yourself
Once you’ve relapsed, the key is to get back on track. To expedite this process, be kind to yourself. Make sure you are getting plenty of rest and sleep. Drink lots of fluids (water) and stay hydrated. You can even do something fun or exciting to put yourself in a positive mood. For example, if you like music, you can go to a concert. Or if sports are more your thing, maybe attend a sports event. Finally, remind yourself why you started on your recovery journey and reflect on all the progress you’ve made so far.
Victory Recovery Partners, a network of eight addiction/recovery centers on Long Island, New York, specializes in outpatient care for patients with substance use disorders and addiction. Victory provides complete care under one roof, including medication-assisted treatment, behavioral health, psychiatric, and wellness services. Our motto is “No One Left Behind”, which ensures that every patient receives the best care possible. For more information on Victory, please visit our website.