| Due to the frequency with which they occur, knowing | | | | Yes, that means telling someone you had a relapse |
| what to do in the event of a relapse is an essential | | | | and need help to stop now. Trying to keep it a secret |
| part of a relapse prevention plan. | | | | will only increase the negative feelings generated. Talk |
| First things first; don't let guilt and shame paralyze you | | | | to a counselor, a hotline, your sponsor, anyone who |
| into inaction because you have had a slip or relapse. | | | | can help you with your next step. You are not alone. |
| Unfortunately, in recovery, as in life, pain can be a | | | | 4. Figure out what went wrong. |
| valuable learning experience. The trick is to use the | | | | Relapse just did not sneak up on you. It happened |
| experience to get back into recovery and emerge | | | | because of your action in wanting to use or your |
| from the experience even stronger. | | | | inaction of sticking to your recovery plan. Outside help |
| Here are 5 tips to help you turn it around: | | | | of a counselor, sponsor or someone in long term |
| 1. Don't give in to despair. | | | | recovery is needed to give an outside perspective. |
| It is an attractive rationalization to believe that you | | | | 5. Restart your recovery with overwhelming force. |
| have just proved you can't do this. If you believe you | | | | Become proactive in your recovery; apply even |
| can't do something, then what is the point in trying? Go | | | | greater effort and priority to it. Apply overwhelming |
| down that road and you're off to the races on a | | | | force, take what you think you need and double it. One |
| progressive path of destruction. | | | | key shared by people long term recovery is the idea |
| 2. Stop using. | | | | that 'I cannot drink or drug no matter what'. Adopt a 'no |
| You are not a failure and hopeless; that is shame | | | | matter what' mentality. |
| speaking. You are human, and as such we make | | | | And that is the tip of the iceberg on the subject of |
| mistakes. Don't give into the idea that because you | | | | relapse prevention in drug and alcohol recovery. There |
| had a slip, you may as well go whole hog. | | | | is even more information available on what to do in |
| 3. Get help immediately. | | | | case of a relapse on alcohol or drugs. |