Drug Rehab after Relapse

Clinical drug rehab is just as important for relapsed addicts as it is for people seeking addiction treatment for the first time. When people slip back into active use after drug rehab, they are often frightened, confused, and frustrated. Addicts who are dedicated and consistent with their long-term recovery efforts may wonder how they could possibly experience such unmanageable cravings. Even people who maintain sobriety for years can encounter powerful addiction triggers which lead them to use drugs again. Overall, relapse is a troubling experience which necessitates further clinical treatment. Here are the most important things to understand about drug rehab after relapse.

Different Programs for Different Situations

Not all addicts experience relapse in the same way. Some “slip” and use drugs only once or a handful of times, while others return to active use for years on end. For those who have short relapses, outpatient treatment is usually the best option. It allows patients to receive effective treatments while maintaining their careers, family lives, and any other personal obligations.

However, those who return to their addictive behaviors for months or years typically require further inpatient care. They have usually reestablished physical drug dependencies, and they need the combination of detox and isolated clinical living in order to avoid drugs.

Continuing Progress in Individual Counseling

When addicts attend individual counseling for the first time, they identify the personality issues and life circumstances which led them to use drugs in the first place. When they relapse, they continue to build upon these personal discoveries by discussing how and why they used drugs again. They may uncover crucial information, such as previously unidentified addiction trigger. They can then work with their counselors to improve upon their coping strategies and manage future cravings.

Empowerment Through Group Therapy

People who experience relapse can give valuable advice to less-experienced addicts during group discussions. Taking on such a helpful role can be empowering for addicts who are frustrated with their own efforts to stay clean. Just as group therapy can help people confront their problems and make personal breakthroughs, it can also give addicts the confidence they need to stay sober after drug addiction treatment.

Seeking Lifelong Support

If they didn’t before, relapsed addicts should seek additional support through community groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Just like clinical group therapy, community meetings give addicts a chance to share their ongoing struggles and give each other insight on how to deal with their cravings. They can also hold each other accountable to their daily recovery efforts and the avoidance of tempting triggers.

A Learning Process, not a Failure

Relapsed addicts should not see themselves as failures. Whether they experience small slips or extended relapses, almost all recovering addicts will return to drug use at least once over the courses of their recoveries. As rehab clinicians have come to realize this, they have started to look at relapse as a learning experience. It may be a trying time for people who struggle with drugs or alcohol, but it is also an opportunity to create better strategies and habits for long-term sobriety.

Whether you are struggling with relapse or have not yet gone through rehab, call the number above for a toll-free consultation. The pain of addiction can seem unmanageable at times, but there is hope for a better future. Get your life back on track with one of our powerful drug rehab programs starting right now.

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