| A drug or alcohol relapse does not mean the end of | | | | long-term sobriety. |
| recovery, it's merely a stage in the journey that needs | | | | Making the use of all tools available in treatment must |
| to be effectively dealt with. | | | | be maximized. Full, honest and introspective |
| Although relapse can be emotionally difficult on both | | | | participation in recovery sessions allows for growth |
| the recovering addict and the family, relapse should | | | | and self-awareness that makes future abuse less |
| never mean an acceptance of failure. | | | | likely. |
| It should simply mean that the addict needs to work | | | | Anyone can go through the motions, and ultimately, |
| harder than ever to get back to sobriety. There also | | | | even the toughest of programs cannot create internal |
| needs to be an examination of what caused the | | | | change in a resistant person. Change comes from |
| relapse and how adjustments can be made to | | | | within, and change starts with a commitment to hard, |
| improved the sobriety plan. | | | | emotional, and honest recovery and reflection. |
| Relapse, even after participation in a rehab program is | | | | Stick To Your Recovery Plan - Relapse Prevention |
| common. | | | | Through an honest and committed participation in the |
| It's safe to say that one or more relapses are more | | | | therapeutic treatments of a drug and alcohol rehab |
| likely than not going to occur at some point in the | | | | program, recovering addicts gain a better |
| journey to recovery. But that doesn't mean that a | | | | understanding of their triggers to use, and the people, |
| relapse must happen, and for many people, one | | | | social and environmental situations that make abuse |
| intensive and serious commitment to treatment is | | | | more likely. |
| enough to motivate behavioral change and a lifetime | | | | Using this new found awareness, recovering addicts |
| of sobriety. | | | | need to create a detailed and comprehensive |
| To increase the odds of long term sobriety, the | | | | recovery and relapse prevention sobriety plan. |
| recovering addict needs to participate fully and | | | | Making a plan for the first 30-days out of rehab helps |
| honestly in all of the recovery and relapse prevention | | | | resist temptation. It also encourages the practice of the |
| programs during treatment. | | | | lessons of rehab once back in the home environment. |
| The recovering addict needs to work to discover their | | | | Although making an honest and comprehensive |
| triggers to abuse, to develop a personalized recovery | | | | recovery plan is important, the plan isn't worth much if |
| plan, and to follow that plan once rehab is completed. | | | | there is no commitment once back home. |
| The recovering addict must also make a long term | | | | The recovery and relapse prevention plan should keep |
| commitment to participate in aftercare programs. | | | | you busy, keep you focused and keep you safe. |
| No two addicts are alike. How one stays sober | | | | Failure to follow an honest recovery plan increases the |
| long-term and the other relapses, is hard to understand. | | | | likelihood of drug and alcohol relapse. |
| In general, there are a few important components to | | | | It's always difficult to stay true to a demanding |
| success in drug and alcohol addiction treatment. | | | | recovery plan, but recovery is rarely easy, and a |
| Practice Honesty & Commitment - Relapse Prevention | | | | commitment to change and walking in sobriety will |
| No one but the recovering addict can induce personal | | | | require sacrifices. |
| change and growth, and create the best probability of | | | | |