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If you have experience with addiction, you’ll know that staying clean requires a lot of hard work and persistence. After all, around 40-60% of former rehab patients will relapse, at least after their first attempt at sobriety.
While these numbers might be discouraging, there is no need to despair. After all, around half of all addicts manage to get sober and stay sober the first time around. However, your ability to do this depends on your ability to be aware of the dangers of relapse and to act early to prevent it.
Here’s what you need to know about how to prevent relapse in those struggling with their recovery.
1. Never Forget Your Progress
If you’re asking “how to stop myself from relapsing,” your first step should always be to remember how far you have come. Getting clean and sober is a monumental achievement.
Every single day that you have remained sober is progress that you can’t afford to throw away. One simple way to remind yourself of your progress is to get a physical marker of your achievement.
For example, these sobriety chips are designed to celebrate your progress and serve as a daily reminder of how far you have come.
2. Know the Personal Triggers
Knowing how to stop relapse means knowing the triggers that cause it. All former addicts have triggers. Knowing yours and avoiding them will go a long way towards preventing a relapse.
The most common triggers include:
- Stress
- People who enable you
- Places where you used to do drugs or drink
- Drug paraphernalia or alcohol
- Toxic relationships
- Poor self-care
Triggers will vary from person-to-person, which is why it is important to be honest with yourself about the factors that are most likely to trigger a relapse.
3. How to Prevent Relapse by Letting Go
Practicing the art of letting go is essential for a sustainable recovery. Former addicts tend to be hard on themselves, which can give way to a toxic cycle that encourages relapses.
For example, it is important not to take every inconvenience personally, or assume that you will never be able to stay sober forever. Letting go of these toxic traits and learning to count your blessing every day will help you stay the course.
4. Remember Your Reasons for Getting Clean
If you’re wondering how to stop a loved one from relapsing, make sure to remind them why they got clean in the first place. No one enjoys being an addict.
It destroys your health, your quality of life, your relationships, and your finances. When a person is in danger of relapsing, it is because they forgot about these reasons that encouraged them to quit in the first place.
5. Know When to Get Help
If you or a loved one are close to addiction relapse, do not be afraid to seek help immediately. You have a support network that can help you get through this period and return to a secure, sober, happy life.
Call your friends, family, or sponsor if you think you are going to relapse.
If this is not an option, you should call your nearest counseling center or rehab facility immediately. Reaching out again might be hard, but it is much better than the life that awaits you if you relapse.
Live a Healthier, Happier Life
Knowing how to prevent relapse requires a holistic approach. You must be aware of what causes relapses, and how to stay clear of these causes.
For more tips on living a clean, happy, healthy life, we are here to help. Our dedicated Health section offers daily tips on how to truly live your best life, in every sense of the word.