Relapse Prevention for Alcohol Addiction

Recovery is a long road, and many individuals face various hurdles, including the risk of relapse. By definition, relapse is when a person starts drinking alcohol again after a period of sobriety. Many factors can trigger a recovering alcoholic to relapse, including peer pressure, co-occurring mental health disorders, and traumatic life events. Unfortunately, merely drinking one beer can wipe out years of progress after your time at a luxury drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, so it’s essential to be mindful of Relapse Prevention for Alcohol Addiction ways.  

Here at United Recovery Project, we help clients develop lifelong skills to overcome triggers, cope with emotions healthily, and refrain from alcohol use in social situations. However, we understand that there’s always a lingering threat of relapse – no matter how committed you are to staying sober and avoiding alcoholism symptoms. Although we never want to see recovering alcoholics start drinking again, we have programs in place to help those who succumb to their temptations. We hold the mindset that “we do recover,” even if the third time is the charm. 

Even after you leave United Recovery Project, we’re just a phone call away. You’re always welcome to reach out if you feel like you’re on the verge of relapsing. Many recovering alcoholics view themselves as failures if they start drinking, but we want you to know that’s not the case! Chronic alcoholism is a disease, and those battling this horrible illness can relapse just as easily as those who suffer from diabetes or eating disorders. We care about your long-term success, and we’ll never judge you or make you feel guilty after relapsing. Since many of us at United Recovery Project are recovering addicts, we know firsthand what it’s like to experience tempting urges to drink again after abstaining from alcohol.  

How Do You Avoid Relapse?

Your willpower will be tested as you embark on your recovery journey after leaving a medical detox center and alcohol rehab. Thankfully, there are many ways to avoid relapse, and we know there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Fortunately, you’ll leave United Recovery Project with invaluable skills to help you avoid your triggers, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and manage complex emotions without resorting to alcohol. Over time, you’ll learn the ways that work best for you (and we’re here to help you navigate your newfound sobriety).

Be Mindful of Your Triggers

If you’ve already gone through drug and alcohol addiction treatment at a luxury rehab center, you should be able to identify your triggers. You will also start to identify many of these triggers in an alcohol detox center. However, that’s not to say you won’t discover new triggers later down the road. The trigger comes first, and the craving follows. In short, triggers are situations or feelings that provoke cravings – urges to consume alcohol. Here’s a look at some common triggers:

• Pessimistic feelings and emotions
• Social events where there’s alcohol, such as Christmas parties and happy hour events
• Seeing someone else drink alcohol or looking at alcohol bottles in the store
• Surrounding yourself with individuals currently battling alcohol addiction
• Stress and anxiety

Attend Alcohol Abuse Therapy

We highly recommend attending therapy after substance abuse treatment, including private and group therapy, as well as 12 step program meetings. You wouldn’t want to stop drinking alcohol cold turkey without substance abuse detox programs – the same applies to alcohol addiction therapy. Ongoing therapy enables recovering addicts to continue to learn healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions and increase the motivation needed for long-term success. 
Our licensed professionals provide a wide range of remedial therapy programs for those recovering from chronic alcoholism:

• Group therapy
• Equine therapy
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Motivational therapy
• Nutrition therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Psychotherapy
• Life skills training

Tackle More Than One Issue at a Time

Unfortunately, certain disorders have a domino effect that increases the risk of relapse. While you might be recovering from alcohol abuse, you could be experiencing other conditions that negatively impact your life, such as depression and anxiety. It’s essential to take a comprehensive approach when creating a luxury addiction treatment plan with a psychiatrist and consider long-term goals. Don’t just look at your addiction – look at your entire person and consider how other issues you face could impact your recovery journey. 

Practice Healthy Coping Mechanisms

During your days as an alcoholic, you likely got through difficult patches by drinking or taking other substances. As a recovering addict, you’ll have to put your newfound knowledge gained from individual and group therapy sessions to use. Gone are the days when you could drink a few shots to ease life’s pain. Instead of drinking, do something that brings you positive emotions. Many people can cope healthily by exercising, partaking in their hobbies, socializing with their support group, and attending an alumni program for recovering addicts. However, using positive coping mechanisms is easier said than done for some individuals. Those that have difficulties coping should participate in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as “talk therapy.” This type of therapy helps the individual slowly change their behavior and thinking with a licensed counselor. 

Change Your Scenery

There’s no doubt that scenery plays a significant role in your long-term excess. For some, changing scenery could mean going to new places in town and enjoying nature to unwind and destress. On the other hand, some recovering addicts may prefer to pack up their belongings and head to a new state in search of a fresh start. Changing your scenery may also mean cutting off ties with individuals who don’t share the common goal of sobriety and trigger you to drink again. Although it’s difficult to say “goodbye,” you have to do what’s right for you at the end of the day.

Fill Your Schedule

Not staying productive can not only negatively impact your mental health, but it can also lead to boredom. Unfortunately, boredom can lead to picking up your old habits, including drinking. It’s imperative to fill your schedule without going overboard. Always be sure to leave room in your schedule to work out and eat healthily – your body will thank you later! Now that you’re sober, you should focus on developing a career that interests you, going back to school, and rebuilding relationships you lost while suffering from alcohol abuse.