Three ways to fight back against relapse

At Kolmac Integrated Behavioral Health Centers, patients learn how to prevent relapse. Relapses do not take place with the first drink or drug. Rather, there is a series of changes in thinking and behavior that occur before the first use. Relapse is a process, not an event. One of our goals is to give patients the tools to identify the early stages before they find themselves back in control.

Three tips to help patients prevent relapse

Knowing their triggers helps patients who are recovering from addiction. Seeking out support is also vital. Here are three tried and true relapse prevention tools. tips that will beat relapses to the punch.

1. HALT serves as a reminder to not get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired. These physiological experiences make us more vulnerable to make bad decisions, whether it’s about responding to an email, what to eat, or dealing with thoughts and cravings to use.
2. People, places and things. There are certain people, places and things that patients associate with substance use. These cues trigger people’s urge to use drugs, alcohol or participate in addictive behaviors. Identifying and avoiding these associations is not always possible but is a good plan in early recovery.
3. Good company. Not only is it crucial for patients to avoid those who remind them of addictive behavior, but it is also critical to have healthy supports in place. Group therapy and support groups help patients guard against returning to use/relapse. Therapy groups provide a safe place to talk about the challenges of recovery, with the experience and knowledge of professionals guiding the process. Patients can go to support groups as often as they need.

Kolmac focuses on relapse prevention during intensive outpatient treatment

During intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment, our staff focuses on relapse prevention. Our goal is keeping patients from returning to addictive behaviors and substance use. Our team helps patients prevent relapse by working on coping skills and trigger management. We also encourage patients to develop a support network and establish new behaviors to create a new life without the use of substances. For more information about avoiding relapses, contact us.