The road to recovery is long and is not defined by a return to using substances. Some estimates suggest that over half of those who have gone through addiction treatment will relapse. That doesn’t mean they have personally failed or that treatment didn’t work. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery is committed to supporting our clients and their journeys to sobriety. Contact us at 866.300.5275 for information about the recovery and mental health services we offer and learn more about our relapse prevention services.
What Is a Relapse?
Relapse is when someone returns to using alcohol or drugs after a period of sobriety. A relapse may be a quick, impulsive decision. More frequently, it is a gradual process. There are thought to be three stages to this process: emotional, mental, and physical relapse.
Emotional relapse begins with mentally checking out of recovery. It may include actions like skipping meetings, poor self-care, and bottling up emotions.
Left unchecked, the individual may begin to experience mental relapse. In this stage, the person in recovery frequently thinks about the people, things, and places associated with use fondly. They may look for or try to create an excuse to relapse.
Finally, physical relapse involves returning to active substance use.
Avoiding a return to use requires more than just saying no when temptations arise. Relapse prevention requires developing new skills, rehearsing possible scenarios, and practicing the strategies needed to stay healthy.
The Benefits of Recovery Management Services
Recovery management involves dealing with a recent use episode or the desire to use drugs or alcohol to help the client get back on track quickly and effectively. The first benefit of a recovery management program is to support a client in their return to sobriety. It requires attention to many aspects of the person’s life.
Recovery management also offers the following unexpected benefits:
1. Improved Health
Maintaining good health is an essential part of avoiding triggers. Being overtired, hungry, dehydrated, or feeling out of sorts makes people more vulnerable to a relapse. While in recovery management, clients may receive nutritional or fitness therapies to strengthen their bodies and improve general health. At this time, any medical needs that they have ignored will also receive attention.
2. Improved Social Connection
Staying sober often means leaving behind friends and even family members who do not support a sober lifestyle. This can be particularly difficult for teens who are still looking for their place in the social structure.
Receiving relapse management services allows adolescents to reconnect with peers who understand what they are going through. Improving communication and social skills also helps them build healthy friendships and bond with the supportive people in their lives.
3. A More Fulfilling Life
Substance use takes up almost all of the addicted person’s time and energy. Learning how to fill all their free time during recovery is a challenge. With the help of recovery management, teenage boys can learn more about themselves, their true interests, and skills without drugs or alcohol.
4. Better Stress Management
Adolescents and teens are more vulnerable to stress than many people realize, especially if they are struggling with co-occurring mental health disorders or family troubles. Stress management is not only an essential part of relapse prevention. It is also crucial for maintaining good health and emotional balance throughout life. Boosting stress management skills in a recovery management program provides lifelong benefits.
Find Recovery Management Services at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
The compassionate team at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery understands that relapse is part of the recovery process. We have the tools and the experience to help your teen get back on the road to sobriety and live the happy, healthy life they were meant to have. We offer a range of treatment programs for teens, including:
- Alcohol addiction treatment
- Heroin addiction treatment
- Cocaine addiction treatment
- Opioid addiction treatment
- Prescription drug addiction treatment
Call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275 to learn more about our recovery management services.
