Do I Have to Go Back to Rehab After a Relapse?

No matter how confused or overwhelmed you may feel, there are ways of determining whether you should return to rehab. People in recovery may be disappointed that they can no longer attend parties or go to the bar with friends. Feeling sorry for oneself or dwelling on negative circumstances can be dangerous because these thoughts can lead to relapse. It is normal and necessary to seek medical interventions to treat conditions that negatively affect your quality of life. In this regard, addressing addiction is no different from addressing diabetes, a broken hip, or a traumatic brain injury. Contact us today to find out which program might be right for you, or to begin the process of arranging for treatment.

Length of Treatment

The abstinence stage starts as soon as use stops and may last for a couple of years. Cravings are often present, and support is necessary to cope with these cravings and avoid relapses. Getting back on track after a slip may be as simple as discussing the lapse with a sponsor or counselor, going to a 12-step meeting, or avoiding your triggers. Seeking support and redoubling your efforts to remain sober are critical for people in this situation. Deciding whether to go back to a rehab center can depend on several factors, including whether you’ve returned to regular substance use. Ultimately, the most important thing to consider is your own health and safety.

Why Do People Relapse?

Chronic drug use may leave lasting effects on the brain, and can worsen co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression, increasing relapse risk. You may wonder if drug addiction treatment there is a difference between a slip, or a “lapse,” and a true relapse. A lapse is a temporary, often one-time, return to prior drug-use behavior, whereas a relapse is a “full-blown” return to drug or alcohol abuse after an attempt to quit.

Dangers Of Relapse

Professional support and guidance for dealing with those feelings are an important part of avoiding a relapse. If you feel as if your coping skills are lacking and you aren’t meeting your normal obligations, it might be time to reach out for help. This includes keeping up with hygiene, household chores, going to work, attending school, caring for family, and more. A lapse is a temporary, often one-time, return to prior drug-use behavior, whereas a relapse is a “full-blown” return to drug or alcohol use after an attempt to quit. Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today.

• You can also file a complaint if you feel your employer has violated the law.
• Understanding your legal protections, where to find resources and how to cope can make it easier.
• Everyone’s situation is different, but if you want to achieve long-term recovery, returning to rehab and getting to the root of your relapse will help you prevent another relapse in the future.
• You may need to contact your support network and attend events more regularly.

You are usually able to cope with temptations effectively and get back on track toward sobriety. Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery. Even if your relapse doesn’t lead to an overdose, it can cause other dangerous effects and behaviors.

• People experiencing depression in recovery may be tempted to use drugs to find relief.
• Along with the action steps you need to care for your physical body, don’t neglect your mind and spirit, either.
• You might experience denial or bottle up your emotions, and you might struggle with eating or sleeping too much or too little.
• If you believe your use of drugs or alcohol is only a slip, it’s still important to contact your sponsor, reach out to a counselor, attend a 12-step meeting, and avoid triggers.

This follow-up service may be provided to you by the rehabilitation program that you first attended, or a nearby treatment facility may be able to offer these sessions to you. Following a relapse, returning to treatment isn’t necessary for everyone. However, getting back into weekly therapy or consultations may help you overcome your ongoing difficulty. You may need to contact your support network and attend events more regularly. Joining a support group might help you feel less alone in your quest for sobriety and provide you with a network of people who understand what you’re going through. After completing a drug and alcohol treatment program, an individual’s tolerance to substances has severely decreased, compared to when they entered treatment.

Along with the action steps you need to care for your physical body, don’t neglect your mind and spirit, either. Mental and emotional health are both important parts of your recovery. Before treatment, discuss with your specific treatment center what they offer in terms of aftercare. In most cases, a slip refers to a one-time return to alcohol or drug use. Whether or not a single use of a substance qualifies as a relapse varies from person to person.

Aftercare services can range in price depending on the level of service required. If you decide to return to your hometown after rehab, this will typically cost less than going to a distant city. The roots of relapse lie not in external circumstances but rather in the individual’s thoughts and perceptions. Your mind gives you the green light to stop going to group sessions or therapy, withdraw from friends and family, and stop taking care of yourself.

Treatment Choices

She is a practicing healthcare professional holding a doctorate in physical therapy at DOW University of Health Sciences. Dr. Saman started content writing to blend her passion for writing and medicine with her extensive clinical experience. These brief outpatient treatments may be beneficial in many ways, including avoiding the need to enter a more extensive rehabilitation facility.

With so many possible triggers, an AUD relapse is not out of the ordinary as 40-60% of substance users experience a relapse. This statistic is on par with other chronic illnesses like hypertension and asthma that also require changing deeply rooted behaviors. If you’ve been using substances again, you may need to go through detoxification. Detox is the process of clearing drugs or alcohol from your system and managing withdrawal symptoms. It’s important to undergo detox in a medical setting where you can receive appropriate care and support. Drug addiction and alcoholism are complex and progressive diseases that require constant dedication and practice to recover.

If you slip and use drugs or alcohol for only a brief time – usually one day or less – and you realize you’ve taken a risk, rehab might not be necessary. Outside pressures—from family members, friends, co-workers, or even via legal issues or court-ordered rehab mandates—can also put people at risk for post-rehab relapse. A person may enter rehab while still in the pre-contemplation stage and simply not be committed to the process, potentially increasing the risk of relapse. Whether a person is struggling with addiction for the first time or experiencing a relapse, finding a treatment center to meet their needs is vitally important. From intensive outpatient treatment to residential rehab facilities, there are options available for everyone. Relapse is a common and often normal part of recovery for many people.