One of the most crucial elements of recovery is the right environment. Many people who undergo outpatient drug rehab struggle to maintain sobriety due to environmental triggers. Seeing the same people and places you previously used drugs in, being exposed to the same stressors and pressure can make it hard to avoid relapse no matter how badly you want to be clean.
Residential treatment offers a fresh start and change for people seeking to break the cycle of addiction. Inpatient programs can last from 30 to 90 days, and people may transfer to sober living homes afterward to avoid returning to their old, unhealthy environment.
The Risk of Relapse
Although most enter drug treatment with the desire to stay sober, between 40 to 60 percent will experience a relapse. This does not mean that they have failed or missed their only chance at recovery; in fact, a good rehab program will address relapse as part of the recovery process, teaching you preventative strategies as well as what to do in the event it occurs.
The exact risk of relapse will depend on a variety of factors such as your age, the severity of your addiction, the drug and the type of treatment you go through. There are also additional risk factors that make someone more likely to relapse such as:
- Frustration and anger
- Feeling lost, confused and directionless after completing treatment
- Social pressure from other drug users to try the substance again
- Low self-esteem or confidence in one’s ability to remain sober
- Lack of coping mechanisms to handle cravings and emotional distress
- Untreated mental illness (comorbid disorder)
Drug Abusing Friends Can Jeopardize Your Sobriety
Your friends who still use mind-altering substances may support your choice to get help, but that does not mean it’s in your best interest to continue engaging with them after you’ve undergone treatment.
Rehab is only the first part of the recovery process. Addiction is a lifelong disease for many. Although you will be unable to avoid every trigger in life, identifying the most common will help you make better decisions for your health and future.
Friends who take drugs will make it harder for you to stay true to yourself. This is not due to a lack of willpower; you may be more committed to your sobriety than anything else in the world. But humans are social by nature, and we are designed to do whatever we can to fit in and feel included.
Your friends may be your only social ties outside of rehab. Being around them during treatment at an outpatient center can greatly compromise the effectiveness of your treatment. You may find yourself changing your definition of sobriety and relapse just to keep them around, forgoing abstinence for “just one drink” or “only using on the weekends.”
The Benefits of Residential Treatment
An inpatient drug rehab will give you the clean break you need to start your recovery on a high note. Although there will be many difficult emotional obstacles to face during treatment, doing so in a safe, positive and supportive environment will give you the best chance at remaining sober.
Another benefit of residential treatment is access to additional outside resources. Whether it’s an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or moving to a sober living home, residential treatment gives you the ability to plan ahead and prepare for the future outside of the environment that perpetuated your drug use in the past.
If you’re afraid that you won’t be able to maintain sobriety after leaving rehab, this is normal. Your addiction counselor and fellow treatment participants can help you work through this fear, acknowledge your anxiety and learn how to overcome it.
With the right steps and skills, you’ll be able to slowly rebuild your life without drugs. Temptation and cravings are inevitable, but your willpower and determination are stronger.
Ready to take the next step and start living sober? Contact us today at 855-936-4435. Our representatives are available 24/7 to take your call and answer your questions. Whether you wish to receive treatment locally or would like to stay in a different state, we can help you find the right choice for you.
