Dealing with the possibility of relapse is just one of the challenges people face once they leave a treatment center. Addiction is a chronic illness that individuals must manage for the rest of their lives. How you handle relapse triggers will determine your level of success in remaining in long-term recovery. The following tips can help you avoid addiction triggers that might lead you back into a life of addiction. For more support, contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306.
1. Stay Away From Your Old Lifestyle
The idea of starting over doesn’t hit home until you start running into the places where you are engaged in drug and alcohol abuse. The people you hung around with might not be supportive of your new sober lifestyle. Truly starting over means choosing to avoid people and places that can endanger your hard-won recovery. Start building relationships with people who support the changes you’ve made in your life. Find activities to enjoy that don’t involve drinking or using drugs.
2. Open Up to Friends and Family
Getting sober can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation. You’re learning to navigate life without drugs and alcohol, and that can be scary. Talk to people you trust about what’s going on inside. Keeping those feelings bottled up can make them worse, causing you to relapse. Letting people know what’s going on allows them to provide the support to keep you going in your recovery.
3. Don’t Test Your New Lifestyle
The longer you remain the recovery, the more confident you’ll likely become in your ability to resists drugs and alcohol. Some people start tempting fate by visiting bars, hanging around people who drink to excess, or taking the occasional hit of marijuana. That behavior can become a slippery slope that leads to a relapse. Don’t let overconfidence wipe out everything you worked hard to achieve. Consult with a therapist if you find yourself engaging in those kinds of activities.
4. Take Time to Heal Yourself
There’s a reason therapists recommend that individuals new to recovery avoid getting into new relationships. Your emotions may be raw after leaving a treatment center. Many people aren’t in a mental space that makes them capable of making rational decisions. The emotional fallout caused by stress in the relationship can become a major addiction trigger. Instead of romance, put your energy into self-care and mending other vital relationships.
5. Take Care of Your Financial Resources
Before sobriety, you may have found yourself constantly strapped for money because you spent it all on drugs and alcohol. Once you get sober, you may find that you have more funds at your disposal. While relief from the financial stress should be a benefit, having more money to spend can become a relapse trigger. Consider having someone you trust to look out for your finances and limit your ability to spend as you like until you feel more capable of managing things alone.
Other Tips to Remain Sober
Try to find ways to occupy your time once you leave rehab. One of the biggest addiction triggers is having a lot of free time. It would be best if you looked into finding employment, going back to school, or volunteering in the community. Try to find a sense of purpose that keeps you from being tempted back into a life of substance abuse. Try establishing regular routines to keep your mind off using drugs. Doing the same thing each day helps keep your emotions in check as you learn to live life normally.
Learn to Manage Relapse Triggers at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
If you’re tired of struggling with substance abuse issues, Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida can help you get a fresh start in life. Our programs and services include:
Start making positive changes by calling Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306, or contact us online.
