Many individuals that are in the process of making the decision to go to a Florida Alcohol Rehab wonder about the effectiveness of the treatment. As clients of these treatment facilities, these individuals undergo customized programs to help them reach sobriety. While sobriety is a lifelong journey, these treatment facilities can play a significant role in preventing relapse.
Individuals that seek treatment from a Florida alcohol rehab will be equipped with the tools necessary to unlearn habits of alcohol addiction. Moreover, these individuals are provided with multiple support systems and resources to help them overcome temptation when faced with the threat of relapse.
Reducing the Chances of Relapse with Alcohol Rehab
While rehab won’t completely eliminate the chance of someone relapsing, it does help to reduce it. According to statistics, between 40 – 60% of those going through recovery will experience a relapse. This is because there are many physical and psychological factors that trigger cravings and the desire to use substances after becoming sober.
Though all individuals that overcome past substance abuse will have to work through these triggers, undergoing treatment at a rehab center will help to reduce the likelihood of relapse. When in a Florida treatment center, team members like doctors and therapists provide their clients with the tools to maintain their sobriety after they leave rehab.
During treatment, clients will undergo detox to target the physical triggers that tie them to substance abuse. As relapse also has behavioral and emotional triggers, these treatment centers also use specific treatments to target these triggers. Treatment like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will help to reduce the chance of relapse. CBT helps an individual explore how their thoughts relate to their actions. Additionally, this therapy helps clients modify their negative thought patterns, which will positively affect their behavior overall.
Preventing Relapse
Though the potential for relapse exists for individuals in recovery, there are several ways to prevent relapse. Relapse often occurs when old memories trigger cravings for substance abuse. Similarly, during particularly stressful situations, others may believe turning to substance use will help relieve this stress.
The following strategies will help an individual prevent relapse
- Move to a sober living environment
- Take each day as it comes
- Join support groups
- Create a schedule and stay busy
- Remain accountable to loved ones, mentors, and support group
Experts agree that one will be more likely to prevent relapse if they are able to develop effective coping behaviors, avoid risk factors, and create a strong support system. One will be at greater risk of relapse if they consistently miss support group meetings, believe their substance use is uncontrollable, or discontinue their coping behaviors.
To better prevent relapse, it’s also helpful to create relapse prevention plans. This plan should be referred to whenever an individual is tempted to go back to substance use. Relapse prevention plans should include the following information:
- Someone to call
- Safe places to go
- A list of reasons to stay sober
- Stress-relief strategies
- Schedules for local AA meetings and similar support group meetings
- Telephone numbers for crisis lines
- Addresses for emergency services
Steps to Take If Relapse Occurs
When an individual relapses, this doesn’t mean that they’ve failed. This is an opportunity for one to become sober again and keep practicing sobriety.
The first few moments after a relapse are critical. After recognizing that they have relapsed, an individual needs to find safety. If it is likely that an overdose has occurred, 911 should be called immediately. In other situations, calling a sponsor loved one, or therapist is the right step to take after overdosing.
After the risk of overdose has passed, it’s essential to go to a safe environment without any access to substances, as this type of environment will be free of negative influences that will trigger one’s desire to use again. In the event of a substance abuse relapse, this individual needs to enter into recovery again, whether it is through inpatient treatment, outpatient therapy, or through the help of a support group.
After a severe relapse, it’s necessary to undergo a supervised detox to ensure that the individual overcomes dependence safely.
There is no clear-cut path to sobriety. If you have any questions regarding substance abuse and relapse, please contact us at 844-903-2111. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to speak with you.
