Top 5 Relapse Prevention Tips

Drug addiction and alcoholism are two one of the world’s most prevalent diseases. The statistics are frightening: over 10 million children live with a parent who is addicted to narcotics or drinks in excess, the number of deaths as a result of drug and alcohol dependence has risen by almost 540 perfect since the mid 1980s, and abuse of these substances has cost employers over 150 billion dollars in lost revenue. Drug and alcohol addiction is a lifelong affliction that can effects all people. One of the hardest parts of drug and alcohol dependence is not getting clean, but staying clean. Here are the top five relapse prevention tips.

1. Building new relationships. Chances are that all those people you met before you entered a drug addiction treatment program are not your friends. They are probably the people that enabled you or encouraged you to make bad decisions. However, by making new friends ¬- perhaps with people who are in the same boat as you – you can build a crucial support network. When it comes to kicking drugs and alcohol – having a strong sense of camaraderie can really get you through the darkest times.
2. Watch out for the things that cause you to do drugs in the first place. Psychologists call these “triggers” and they can be anything from a fight with a spouse to an uncomfortable memory. If you don’t know what some of your triggers are it might be wise to go to therapy to find them, because knowing where they come from and why they cause you to self medicate can be crucial in your recovery.
3. Keep a notebook. Journaling can be a great way to keep your mind away from drugs and alcohol, especially the impulses and the uncontrollable cravings. Keeping a journal will also allow you to make mental notes of things and self analyze. When it comes to recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, it is important to be endlessly self-introspective. One of the basic tenants of recovery is constantly looking inside yourself for answers.
4. Make a list of all the things you have accomplished after you’ve gotten clean. This is important, because it both can give you confidence and a sense of pride, but also it can make you realize what you stand to lose if you abuse drugs and alcohol ever again. This list can include making friends, meeting a significant other, a new job or whatever else you have been proud of since you got clean.
5. Join a support group. Many of these support programs are custom designed for individual addictions, whether it is narcotics, opiates or alcohol. In these programs you will meet people with the same stories as you. Chances are they have hit rock bottom too and realized if they didn’t get help that they would most likely go to jail or die. Going to daily meetings, participating and giving back to the community are all great ways to stop making the same mistakes and to prevent relapsing.