Preventing a relapse after drug abuse and alcohol addiction treatment is a top priority, and there are many ways that relapse can be prevented so that you stay on the road to recovery. These include:
- Find coping mechanisms to help you deal with stress and other rough times in life. If you do not have the skills that you need to cope with any cravings that you experience then you are far more likely to fail when this happens. A lack of effective coping mechanisms is a big factor in relapse after drug abuse and alcohol addiction treatment.
- Avoid negative emotions and try to stay positive. Many people abuse drugs or alcohol because they are self medicating their negative emotions and moods. When you start to become negative try to reset towards a more positive train of thought instead.
- Build up an extensive support network of people and organizations that you can contact at any time. At the first warning signs of relapse after drug abuse and alcohol addiction treatment it is important that you have others that you can talk to instead of turning to alcohol or drugs.
- Avoid situations and places that will provide an opportunity for you to relapse. If you are addicted to alcohol then avoid bars and parties that provide an open bar. Drug users should avoid any of their old friends and haunts so that they have fewer opportunities to slide backwards.
- Everyone makes mistakes, and if you do have a slight relapse after drug abuse and alcohol addiction treatment then look forward. Allowing negative emotions to simmer will only make you more likely to relapse again in the near future.
