A few weeks ago, I introduced you to a few important ways to reduce your addiction relapse risk. Sobriety isn’t necessarily forever, and every recovering addict needs to keep a good sobriety plan in place. Take a look at a few more methods and reasons for this.

Know Your Drug Addiction Triggers

Know thyself. This is one of the most challenging yet most important parts of staying sober. You may want to hide from those ugly parts of your past or about your personality. But if you don’t acknowledge the things that trigger your cravings or desire to cover your feelings, you may get yourself into trouble.

Knowing your triggers can help you head off potential problems. Relapse temptations are so much easier to avoid than they are to manage. Instead of fighting of cravings and being emotionally distraught because you went to visit an old drinking friend, you can set a boundary for yourself because you know it is better for you. Not easy to do, but worth it to keep your sobriety intact for another day.

Review and Revise Your Relapse Prevention Plan

Your relapse prevention plan should change and evolve as you do. Life happens, and when it does you need to be sure your plan can keep up with you. If you’ve experienced a death in the family, moved to a new community, changed jobs, or had any sort of relapse issue (even a small one), you may need to make some adjustments in order to keep your stress levels down.

If it’s been several months or years since you’ve even reviewed your plan, it’s probably time to do it again. Just because you check it out doesn’t mean you have to make a change. If what you have still makes sense and targets the right triggers and needs, then you are probably in good shape. If not, have someone help you or at least look over your changes.

Consider The Possibility Of Going Back to Drug Rehab

You may cringe at the thought of going back to drug rehab. Maybe you won’t ever need to do it. But it’s a fair chance that at least some people who have been through drug rehab once will relapse to the point where they may need it again.

If you do relapse and it seems beyond your control, going back to drug rehab can really make a difference. Trying to gut it out on your own because of your pride can sink even deeper into relapse. With drug addiction, there is no guarantee with sobriety. In the end, your quality of life is what matters the most.

Preventing Addiction Relapse Is Daily Work

It takes daily effort to stay sober. Many people who have been sober for years still know exactly how long they have been sober. With a current relapse prevention plan, you make ongoing sobriety so much more attainable and manageable for yourself.

Tags: drug treatment, drug-rehab, Reducing Your Addiction Relapse Risk Part Two

   

About Erika K.

       

Erika K. has studied addiction and recovery for over ten years. As an accomplished writer, she uses the power of words to help men and women of all ages better understand issues of dependence and substance abuse.

Also written by: Erika K.