The thought of having a relapse can be very frightening. It is something that people in recovery often fear very much and work hard to avoid. Understanding what to do in the face of relapse will help you handle the situation safely and get back on track with your goals. Remember, everyone is unique and will work through relapse differently. Work with a mental health professional to determine what strategy will work best for you so that you are prepared. Here are a few different suggestions on how to handle and move past a relapse.
Find Your Center
Do you practice meditation? What about yoga? A relapse can make you feel as if your world has been shaken and turned upside down. Being able to find your inner peace will help you to handle the situation with a clear and calm mind. When the mind is calm and clear, it can be easier to make healthy choices and know where to turn for help and guidance.
Being able to find your inner calm is a powerful skill. Do not wait until you are in a stressful situation to learn this skill. Remember that everyone is different and that what some people do to find their inner calm may not work for you. What works best for you may not work for your best friend. Understanding your mental health is personal. Work with a mental health care provider to gain a better understanding of what activities will help you the most as you work to find your center.
Seek Professional Support
Seeking professional support is one of the first things you should do if you are experiencing a relapse. A mental health professional will be able to help you work through the situation safely and productively.
Sometimes it can be hard to fully understand why a relapse has occurred. You may not understand what triggered you or what you could have done differently. This is precisely the time when a therapist can help you. Mental health professionals are trained to help you better understand your mental health issues and why you do what you do.
After treatment is complete, it is essential to continue to receive professional support in some way. Having support from a mental health care provider is a significant part of successful recovery. Learn what you need to keep moving forward towards your goals.
Journal Your Experience
After a relapse, it can feel as if you failed. Experiencing a relapse can increase your isolation and a desire to pull further away from the connections that you have. Relapse is not failure. Recovery is a life-long journey, and for many people, relapses are part of that journey.
Try to journal what you are feeling and experiencing. Having an outlet like a journal will help you process the situation and acknowledge the different feelings going through your mind. You can keep your journal for personal use and keep it private. Many people also use a journal to help explain to their mental health professional what they are feeling and going through. The more detail you can provide to your therapist, the better they will be able to help you.
Evaluate Your Triggers
After a relapse, take some time to evaluate and analyze your triggers. Are you prepared to work through your triggers and temptations? What occurred before your relapse? Were there other people involved? Do you have a healthy relationship with those people?
Being able to understand your triggers is essential in evaluating what caused your relapse. Work to understand what happened before your relapse and how you can handle that situation differently in the future. It is important to remember that triggers and temptations can change as you work through recovery. What triggers you the day you leave treatment may not trigger you, in the same way, one year later.
However, it can go both ways. What does not trigger you the day you leave treatment may trigger you one year later. Being vigilant and mindful about what you are feeling will help you navigate your recovery in a healthy manner.
Formulate a Plan
Having a plan in place can help you to recover from a relapse. Many people do not want to think about relapse. It is a terrifying thought for someone who has worked hard to escape addiction. However, having a plan in place will help you to stay safe. Work with a mental health professional to formulate a plan that works for you.
Give Yourself a Break
Often we are our own harshest critics. Remember to give yourself a break. You are doing very well on your recovery journey, and recovery is a process. You did not fail if you experienced a relapse. Work to find your center and bring your focus back to your goals once you are safe. Treat yourself like you would treat your best friend. You would treat your best friend with compassion, care, and grace; you should treat yourself the same way.
Working through a relapse can be a frightening experience. You may not even want to think about relapse, or you may feel that it is something that would never happen to you. Being prepared with a plan in place can help you navigate a relapse safely. Some may find that journaling about the experience and finding their center is effective and helpful in working through that stressful time. It is also essential to give yourself a break. Recovery can be difficult, and you have successfully faced a challenge that many people would not be able to work through. Here at The Guest House, we are extensively trained to help people work through relapse and better understand their mental health issues and well-being. You do not need to face a relapse alone. Call us today to learn more about our different treatment options and how we can support your recovery at (855) 483-7800.