Relapse Prevention in Big Spring, TX
Relapse prevention in Big Spring is a critical component in the addiction recovery process. Programs for relapse prevention are intended to provide the recovering person with the tools and skills needed to live a productive lifestyle free from drugs or alcohol.
What is Relapse Prevention?
Relapse prevention programs are designed to teach a recovering addict effective new ways to deal with life without the need for drugs or alcohol. Before entering into comprehensive treatment programs in Big Spring, many people's lives were focused solely on finding, obtaining, using or recovering from drug abuse to the exclusion of almost all else.
The key to remaining clean and sober after leaving rehab is to integrate programs for relapse prevention into treatment modules. Relapse prevention in Big Spring involves teaching the recovering person to identify and recognize their own personal addiction triggers.
Relapse prevention programs also work to develop a strong strategy designed to help the person avoid high-risk situations, begin building new social and support networks away from past contacts associated with substance abuse, and focus on healthy ways to deal with stressful situations without the need for drugs.
Why Are Relapse Prevention Tools Necessary?
It's common for many people to assume that helping a person recover from drug addiction means enduring a few days of discomfort during drug detox in Big Spring. The belief is that after those few unpleasant days, the person is miraculously clean, sober and somehow cured of addiction.
In reality, addiction is a chronic relapsing disease of the brain that requires ongoing management. A person with other types of chronic diseases, such as asthma or diabetes is taught to manage their symptoms in various ways. If symptoms do re-emerge, the person seeks help from a doctor or specialist.
The same principle is true for recovering addicts. Learning new ways to manage symptoms of addiction and reduce the risk of relapse is an integral aspect of the recovery process.
Relapse Prevention Aftercare Services
One of the key components of relapse prevention in Big Spring is ensuring each person who graduates from rehab has access to a range of aftercare services. Learning new strategies to prevent the risk of relapse while still in rehab is a positive start to the recovery process.
However, when the person leaves rehab, it's common for them to return to the same familiar people and places that were associated with their past substance abuse problems. The result is an increased risk of returning to a pattern of addictive drug or alcohol use, unless there are plenty of relapse prevention aftercare services in place to provide the support, moral, and motivation needed during early recovery.
Common types of aftercare services might include:
- Sober-living communities: Sober-living homes and communities provide a drug-free residence for the person to stay in during the early recovery phase. The objective of a sober-living home is to allow the person to develop new habits and skills for coping with life without drugs or alcohol, but without the temptation of returning to independent living.
- Group meetings: Attending group meetings while still in rehab teaches the recovering person that there are sources of support and motivation available from peers going through similar challenges. After leaving rehab, continued attendance at group meetings is strongly encouraged. 12-step meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provide access to new networks of recovering people and sponsors willing to provide support and guidance. Likewise, group support programs such as SMART Recovery are also helpful in conjunction with 12-step meetings, as they provide a range of tools to assist with the process of self-directed change, as well as providing online groups for those who require additional support at times when physical meetings aren't available.
- Outpatient rehab: For many people leaving the safety and structure of inpatient rehab, the prospect of returning to independent living unassisted is a big risk factor in the potential for relapse. Some people may require ongoing structured therapy and counseling sessions even after leaving a residential rehab facility. Outpatient rehab still provides the structure and medical monitoring many people need as a step-down program.
- Alternative therapies: Throughout rehab treatments, recovering people are introduced to a range of alternative therapies that teach healthy and natural ways to deal with stress and anxiety, as well as learning productive ways to cope with cravings and remain clean and sober. After leaving rehab, it's important that aftercare programs provide access to those alternative therapies that produced positive results. Continued engagement in therapies that promote relaxation or reduce symptoms of stress can help keep motivation levels high.
Learning strong tools and skills for relapse prevention in Big Spring is one of the crucial keys to maintaining motivation for staying drug free after leaving rehab. Relapse prevention programs teach recovering addicts strong ways to avoid temptation and remain sober over the long term. Call us now for help (877) 804-1531.