The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that approximately 40-60% of people struggling with drug abuse will relapse at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, relapse is quite common, and it happens to a lot of people. However, understanding the triggers for relapse and relapse prevention strategies can reduce a person’s risk of relapse. For anyone that requires relapse prevention in Baltimore, the Bergand Group offers many comprehensive programs.
What is Relapse?
The recovery process from a substance abuse addiction is complicated. Recovery is challenging and the temptation to slip into old habits is present every day. Relapse is going back to using substances after you’ve purposefully abstained from them for some time.
Whenever possible, individuals should protect themselves from entering relapse as much as possible. No one knows how long a period of relapse can last, from days to years. People can protect themselves by understanding the warning signs and knowing coping strategies.
What Can Trigger a Relapse?
For recovering patients, specific places, people, or situations can trigger them into relapse.
Places
Familiar places where individuals used to drink or use drugs frequently can bring back feelings of nostalgia. Or, attending a party where there is a lot of drug abuse happening can feel triggering.
People
Keeping up bad relationships, with people that still engage in substance abuse or enable the individual to use, can be a potential relapse trigger.
Situations
Often, individuals struggling with increased stress or feelings of loneliness are more susceptible to relapse.
Other relapse warning signs include when individuals start experiencing withdrawal symptoms or stop taking care of themselves (stop eating, sleeping, coping with stress).
Strategies for Relapse Prevention in Baltimore
Recognizing relapse triggers allows people to understand they’re at risk and implement some relapse prevention strategies. Some popular approaches include:
Focus on the Reason for Quitting
Almost every individual has a motivating reason as to why they quit their addiction. Repeat that reason over and over whenever relapse triggers prevent themselves.
Distractions
Distractions
It’s natural for people to glorify what abusing drugs or alcohol was like. Instead, try to participate in distractions whenever this happens. Consider calling a friend, watching a movie, going for a run, or going for a massage.
Ask for Help
Many professional drug rehabilitation facilities specialize in helping patients through a “relapse vulnerable” period. These facilities are also able to help patients handle intense withdrawal symptoms through medication management.
Relapse Prevention in Baltimore with The Bergand Group
The Bergand Group is the top facility offering programs in relapse prevention in Baltimore. Patients can enroll in Withdrawal Symptom Management programs, Medical Management programs, or in therapy. With over 20 years of experience, the professional medical doctors and staff at The Bergand Group understand addiction and the recovery process. Call today to get any form of help you need to stay sober and healthy.
About The Bergand Group
At The Bergand Group in Baltimore and Harford County, Maryland, our therapists have more than twenty years of experience in the mental health and addiction fields. Our focus is on providing comprehensive mental health care and appropriate care for addictive disorders. We offer both alcohol rehab and drug rehabilitation. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or substance addiction, there is help available. We also offer several other services, including family therapy and counseling. We can help. Contact us today.
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