Drug and alcohol addiction is a complex condition that affects millions of people in the United States. Addiction doesn’t just affect a person’s body. It can also impact their emotions, thoughts, relationships, behaviors, and more.
People living with drug and alcohol addiction require comprehensive addiction treatment programs that support long-term recovery. These programs include behavioral therapies, medical care, holistic therapies, and more.
However, many people who receive treatment experience setbacks in their recovery journey. Relapses can happen to anyone in recovery–even those who desperately want to stay sober.
This article will explore why people in recovery may need to go to rehab more than once. You will learn:
- Why people may require multiple rehab stays during addiction recovery
- How to recognize the signs of a relapse
- Relapse prevention strategies
- What to do after a relapse
- Where to find substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support
If you or a loved one struggles with chronic relapsing, you are not alone. Find comprehensive treatment and recovery support at First Step Behavioral Health. Learn about our programs or schedule an intake appointment by contacting our specialists today.
Why Do People Need to Go to Rehab?
People with alcohol or drug addiction may require medical and mental health support to navigate detox safely. Rehab programs also give people tools and coping skills to avoid relapses.
Typical rehab treatment plans include:
- Behavioral therapies
- Medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms or detox safely
- Supervision
- Counseling
- Relapse prevention education
- Holistic therapies like exercise, mindfulness, and creative expression
- Aftercare planning and support
People receive tailored support in residential or outpatient programs, depending on their needs. Rehab programs can provide intensive support or less intensive treatment as needed.
Why Do People Go to Rehab More Than Once?
The goal of rehab is to help people overcome the physical, behavioral, and emotional aspects of their substance abuse. People receive medical care, mental health care, education, and other therapies to put addiction in the past.
However, many experts consider addiction to be a chronic illness. This means that it isn’t possible to “cure” addiction. Instead, people living with SUD must manage the condition for the rest of their lives.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that most people with SUD will experience at least one relapse during their recovery journey. A relapse occurs when a person uses drugs or alcohol after a period of abstinence.
A relapse can be dangerous and discouraging. However, it does not need to be the end of a person’s recovery journey. People who relapse must return to rehab to get additional support.
Returning to rehab is the best way to get back on track after a relapse. There are multiple levels of addiction treatment, including outpatient rehab programs in residential care. This allows people to find the right type of care for their unique needs.
Recognizing the Stages of a Relapse
Relapses do not happen “out of the blue.” In most cases, people experience warning signs of a relapse before actually using drugs or alcohol again.
Here is a quick overview of what might happen during each stage of a relapse.
Emotional relapse
During an emotional relapse, people may experience challenging emotions that overwhelm their coping skills. New challenges, relationship problems, financial strain, and other issues may cause anxiety, sadness, boredom, or anger.
People may abandon their healthy coping skills. They may skimp on sleep, eat poorly, skip appointments, or quit recovery-related activities.
Mental relapse
During a mental relapse, people may begin to think about using drugs or alcohol again. They may feel nostalgic about the past and forget the harm substance abuse has caused. Some may justify substance use by saying things like, “I’ll only do it once” or “I quit in the past, so I could do it again.”
Physical relapse
A physical relapse includes drinking or using drugs again. It also includes all the actions leading up to substance abuse, such as driving to the bar or contacting a dealer.
Knowing the warning signs of a relapse can help people recognize them and seek the support they need to prevent it.
How to Prevent a Relapse
A relapse can seem like a significant setback. It is crucial to develop a relapse prevention plan to help you avoid it. There are many strategies people can use to avoid a relapse, including:
- Practicing self-care by eating well, exercising regularly, and staying socially active
- Identify the people, places, and things that can trigger a relapse
- Build a strong support system and stay connected
- Reduce stress as much as possible by practicing good self-care, learning coping strategies, and avoiding triggers
- Make a relapse prevention plan that includes who you’ll call when triggered, what strategies you can use, and why your recovery is important to you
In some cases, people may need to go to rehab multiple times to prevent a relapse or get back on track afterward.
Find Treatment and Recovery Support
If you or someone you love needs support in addiction recovery, find comprehensive treatment and recovery programs at First Step Behavioral Health. Contact our intake team to learn more about our rehab programs or to find support at any stage of your recovery journey.
References:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Treatment and Recovery
