Do I Need Residential Drug Rehab After a Relapse?
Though it is common for many people experience relapse, it may not mean that you need to return to a residential drug rehab. However, it also really doesn’t need to be a part of your alcohol or drug addiction recovery. Going through a relapse brings up a lot of feelings of guilt, shame that if not addressed right away can keep you from learning from your mistakes and moving forward. If you have recently relapsed, you may be wondering what your next step should be.
Relapse Defined
According to Dictionary.com, relapse is defined as: to fall or slip back into a former state, practice, etc. The word “fall” in the definition gives the impression that the act has to be significant, but in terms of an alcoholic, or a former drug abuser, it could be as simple as one drink or one hit. This is one of the reasons relapse is such a problem for former users.
Why Do Addicts Relapse?
Being unable to resist an urge to drink or use drugs can make the addict feel like a failure, however, there are a number of factors involved in why an addict may relapse. Where you have come from and your experiences in your past play a big part in the disease of your addiction. Biological, psychological, and sociological factors like physical health, self-esteem, and family circumstances respectively all have a part to play in why an addict may use to begin with as well as why they may be lead to relapse.
What To Do If You Relapse
For the recovering addict, nothing is worse than the feeling of knowing that your sobriety has been compromised. What steps should you take if this happens? First of all, take a deep breathe and remember that this happens. While we’ve stressed that it doesn’t need to be a part of your recovery, it is still a possibility. Next, reach out to your sponsor and tell them what happened. It likely won’t be a total surprise, since there are many signs of relapse that your sponsor specifically would have picked up on leading up to this moment. Your sponsor will be able to help you make an immediate plan of action and depending on the severity of your relapse, it may be advisable to return to a residential drug rehab program or an outpatient addiction treatment program.
If you have relapsed and you don’t have a sponsor, The Discovery House addiction specialists If you or someone you love could benefit from addiction treatment because of a relapse, or for any reason, contact The Discovery House today at (818) 452-1676 to speak with an addiction counselor. We can provide information about the alcohol and drug treatment programs at our addiction rehab center and answer any questions you might have about addiction and recovery.