The decision was made; the treatment was successful; you are now ready to experience life without the need to take part in your addictions. But there is something in the back of your mind that worries you as you venture into this life of sobriety. It’s the nagging question of “will I relapse” and “whether is it possible to relapse prevention in Orange County”?

Making the choice to stop an addiction is not an easy feat, nor is trying to stand strong against inviting opportunities for enjoying addictions that seem to abound after you become sober. There is always concern about the risk of relapsing.

However, after you complete treatment at Experience Recovery, you aren’t left alone to maintain your recovery by yourself but are given tools and support to remind you that freedom from drugs, alcohol and other addictions is possible.

Recognizing Relapse Triggers

Relapse triggers are, unfortunately, present as you navigate those first steps newly recovered from addiction.

Relapse, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is considered “the act or an instance of backsliding, worsening, or subsiding; to slip or fall back into a former worse state.” This is because addiction is seen as a “chronic relapsing disorder,” a combination of a mental illness and brain disorder.

Some may think that relapse is more physical relapse, with the physical act of using a drug, taking a drink, or imbibing in addictive behavior. However, emotional relapse has just as much of an impact on your sobriety as physical relapse can. This is where noticing triggers is vital to your sobriety.

It is important to recognize that triggers precede a possible relapse of drugs and alcohol, so the best course of action is to take note of when triggers could occur and try to avoid those scenarios and situations. Whether it is seeing people who took part in your addictions, avoiding places where your addictions are served, to even monitoring movies or music that encourage addictive behavior, you can take the necessary steps to keep long-lasting recovery in your viewpoint.

If relapse were to occur, there are options for relapse prevention in Orange County to address what setbacks occurred and how to move forward again in your recovery process.

What to expect for Relapse Prevention in Orange County

At Experience Recovery, we see that relapse is not an end to your sobriety but a discouraging step back that can be rectified. Strategies used for relapse prevention in Orange County are based on clinic-based data and are individual plans that cater to the needs of the patient.

Therapists and patients work together to establish a plan of action for developing better-coping skills, learning tools to encourage healing related to relapse, and the resourceful knowledge of our staff for the support to keep staying sober.

Research conducted on relapse prevention strategies has shown that positivity and an uplifting treatment program, supported by encouraging counselors and medical professionals, seem to impact patients the most in staying with the strategies. This method, called contingency management, allows the patient to believe they can overcome triggers for addiction and have the support to encourage their success.

It is also important to know that detox treatment programs are available if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, as well as inpatient and outpatient care to help you achieve recovery, one day at a time.

Benefits of a Relapse Prevention Strategy

Understanding the benefits of having strategies for relapse prevention in Orange County is important for patients and their care team. Having these data-proven steps in place can not only stop future relapses from occurring but also provide help for coping with other stresses and situations in life.

Some strategies can incorporate your family and friends to help those who aren’t contributing to your addiction but can assist in stopping you from your addictions. If a trigger begins, you could call a friend or reach out to family members through phone, social media, or in-person to let them know of the situation and how to help. Support groups are also part of successful strategies, as listening to and encouraging others also going through recovery can help in fighting against relapse.

Other strategies may show the benefits of practicing self-care, of getting involved in an exercise and nutritional program that teaches you how to care for yourself. As you learn better ways to improve your sleep, eating habits, and fitness, you will find that these steps create better-coping skills for stress and situations where relapse could happen.

Having a strategy in place helps whenever you encounter familiar triggers, or maybe even new triggers, for your addictions. The hope is that as you stay true to the strategy for preventing relapse, instead of succumbing to your addictions, the triggers will lessen and the memories of enjoying life without addiction will take over.

Get Relapse Prevention Help in Orange County, CA

Life comes with challenging journeys we must endure, and some of those might be in fighting against addictions. Even after you have successfully reached sobriety and don’t feel the need to drink, use, or take part in your addiction, that doesn’t mean triggers can’t reach you at your most vulnerable moments.

However, you are not alone in the struggle, and Experience Recovery is here to help in relapse prevention in Orange County. Contact us today to learn more about our facility, our services, and what we can do to help you find freedom from addiction.