How can I prevent myself from going into relapse?
11 Answers
Last Updated: 05/21/2018 at 7:01pm
Moderated by
Maria Wasielewski, Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance, University of Arizona
Licensed Professional Counselor
I am inspired when working with clients, who are facing challenging life experiences, to be able to help them to develop the needed skills to live their best possible life!
Top Rated Answers
Reach out - Talk to others in your similar situation. Talk to people you trust. Talk about the stress that's causing the feelings/concerns of relapse to occur. Talk about productive or relaxing ways to mitigate the root cause: exercise, sing, dance, create something, distract yourself, anything you find that helps you.
Find things that make you happy and have those things preoccupy you and your mind to refrain you from going back into relapse
It will be difficult ; First know your trigger ; triggers makes you crave ; if you are unable to control 100% LEAVE immediately . It is self-control , try meditation :) because diversion cannot work , you need to face your triggers slowly :)
The best thing ot do is to have an emergency plan. Make sure you have hobbies to do, work, school, something to fill up the time that you used to spend using. Try to avoid places that remind of it, too.
Try using skills, like showering, listening to music, warming ointment, or talk to someone. What helps me is also figuring out why i want to relapse, sometimes there is a certain reason (for example something that happened lately that is pulling me down), then try to talk to someone about it.
Sometimes you can't prevent yourself from relapsing. It's part of the healing process and the key is after you relapse to not dwell on it. You fall down, you get up and you keep walking. Sometimes unforeseen things happen and while they are unexpected and while we may wish they didn't have to happen sometimes the times we fall back down are the times we learn the most.
Anonymous
May 5th, 2015 5:59pm
think positive and don't get to much stress, eat enough not too small or big, exercise and calm down your mind :D
In my opinon, relapses happen, they are a part of recovery. But, the best way to avoid it would have to be to avoid situations that might trigger you and that includes people. Always have a friend on speed dial, just in case you need help.
try doing other things when you are triggered, walking the dog, writing poetry, swimming, whatever you enjoy doing
Anonymous
May 14th, 2018 3:45am
Get a sponsor and hit at least one NA/AA meeting a day until you hit a year clean. Do whatever it takes to not use "just for today." One day at a time.
Anonymous
May 21st, 2018 7:01pm
Make a relapse prevention plan. Write down things/people/places/fealings that could possibly trigger you. Write a list of people in your support system that you can call when feeling triggered and vulnerable. And write down the reasons you want to stay sober....every single reason. Keep it in your wallet. In a relapse emergency read this. Remind yourself of your worth, call a supportive person.
Also, when the urge to use comes about... Give service to someone else... Anyone! It will bring you back down to earth. It will strengthen your soul, it will fill you with love. And will take your mind out of relapse mode.
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