You Had A Relapse – Do You Go Back To Rehab?

When you are participating in a program at an addiction recovery center, one of the things that you will learn about is relapses. Relapses are something that can happen to anyone. Regardless if you’re are relapsing with alcohol, opiates, or any other addiction, how you manage the relapse is what matters most.

When a Relapse Occurs

When you were in drug rehab, your substance abuse counselor stressed the importance of building a support system for yourself when you leave rehab. This support system may be through support groups, a sober companion, family, or friends. This support group is there to help you in many ways. One of those ways is to bounce back from a relapse. If you had a minor relapse, you might be able to quickly bounce back by going to your support system and getting the help you need. There are many reasons that a minor relapse can happen, and your support system should help you get through the issue and continue into sobriety. If the relapse was more serious, say lasting for several days or more, or if you find yourself struggling with sobriety, it may be time to re-enter a drug rehabilitation program again to get the help you need. People care about you. Don’t be one of those loved ones who refuses to go to rehab.

It is Okay to Have a Relapse

Having a relapse does not mean that you are a failure. A relapse does not mean that you failed at being sober. When you have a relapse, all it means is that you had a relapse. There is no reason to get angry with yourself or get upset. What you do after the relapse is what matters. Think about your relapse, honestly. Look for the reasons that triggered the relapse and see what you can do to prevent that from happening again. Having a relapse is a time for personal growth, not a time to panic. If the relapse was bad, or if you continue to have relapses, it may be necessary to return to an addiction recovery center for help. And that’s okay as well. You would never question getting additional medical help for a reoccurring toothache or refrain from getting help if a different medical condition returned, so why question getting extra help from drug rehab.

Sobriety Makes You Selfish – And That’s Ok

It is imperative to understand that sobriety has to make you selfish and that it is okay. You are allowed to think about yourself so that you can keep yourself sober. You are entitled to reach out so that you do not have a relapse. Having a relapse is allowed to happen without the world coming to an end because you will think about yourself and get back into sobriety. Is it really being selfish? No, but there are no actual good words to call the extra self-help you must provide yourself to stay in sobriety. The great news is that people will understand. They know you have worked hard to get sober, and your loved ones are there to help you stay that way. If you have a relapse, it is time to be a little more selfish. It is time to reflect on what caused it and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. This type of reflection takes time, and it is time that is well used. Is it selfish to want to stay sober? No, no, it is not.

Getting Back to Sobriety is What Matters Most

One thing that you will have learned in drug rehab is that you cannot live in the past, nor can you change the past. Living with regret only gives you a reason to feel bad and turn to drugs for comfort. Letting go of the past is essential to recovery. This includes the recent past. Even as recently as yesterday, if that is when it happened. You had a relapse – forgive yourself and move on. Find the support you need to help you move forward and let the past go. That is one of the keys to staying sober in the future. No one is perfect, and this is something to keep in mind. Mistakes happen, relapses happen, life happens. It is what you do afterward that makes the difference in your life.