A person needs a solid plan for maintaining their hard-earned sobriety after completing detox and rehab. That’s why counselors in rehab work with clients to outline a relapse prevention program that will help them stay on track during the early days of recovery and manage a triggering situation. Call 866.294.5306 to speak with one of our knowledgeable relapse counselors at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today if you have questions about detox and prevention techniques or making a relapse prevention plan.
Tips for Making a Successful Relapse Prevention Plan
Are you wondering how to go about making your own relapse prevention plan? These three tips may prove to be helpful.
1. Know Your Specific Triggers
While you were in rehab, it was easy to avoid drugs and alcohol. Most rehabs offer controlled, substance-free environments with daily supervision. However, back in the real world, triggers may pop up at the most unexpected times, and there may not be a counselor present to talk it through with you.
Take time to make a list of things you must avoid during this adjustment period. Some of the most common triggers include:
- People you hung out with while using
- Stressful situations, such as work and school
- Places where you went to drink or get high
- Negative emotions related to life events
- Dysfunctional relationships
You may also have specific personal triggers that should be on the list, as well. Once you’ve made a list, you can create strategies for managing the triggers.
2. Learn How to Manage Triggers
When clients leave rehab, they are motivated and filled with anticipation about the possibilities awaiting them in the sober world. Making a trigger relapse prevention plan is the first step toward accomplishing those goals.
While in rehab, you learned about coping skills, such as mindfulness and other relaxation techniques. But what do you do about a sudden trigger at the moment? You need a plan for dealing with unexpected triggers that can throw you off course. Practice choosing what you want to do and what you want to feel before confronting the situation.
3. Join a Support Group
Support groups are excellent resources for helping recovering individuals stay focused on their goals. Interacting with others who have similar experiences is beneficial in several ways. When participants share their stories about relapse prevention and the coping skills that work for them, others in the group are inspired to succeed.
Some groups offer life skills training such as budgeting, food preparation, and time management to help individuals take responsibility for their everyday needs. These skills will help you avoid the stress that can lead to relapse.
Changes That Encourage Sober Living
Making a relapse prevention plan is vital to helping you enjoy the sober lifestyle you’ve worked hard to achieve. Detox and rehab gave you a solid foundation, but now it’s up to you to do the rebuilding process.
Experts agree that boredom and depression are the leading relapse triggers. Finding sober activities you enjoy is a great way to prevent these conditions. Stay busy and productive to avoid feeling sad or demotivated.
Preventing relapse won’t be easy, but you can always reach out for support when things get complicated. You don’t have to struggle alone.
Sobriety Begins at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
If you’ve tried to stop using addictive substances alone but realized you need help, a professional detox program is the best solution. Addiction specialists and medical personnel supervise our detox program at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida to ensure a safe and effective detox process.
We offer inpatient or outpatient programs, holistic care, counseling, and various therapies to help clients achieve the most effective results. Call 866.294.5306 to speak with one of our Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida representatives and learn more about our detox program today.
