Relapse Prevention in Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Published May 28, 2010

What exactly is a relapse?

Relapse prevention is a core part of the strategies used in treatment at the drug and alcohol rehab centers. It is as important a part of the program of therapy as is any other part in it. The importance of this measure lies in the fact that the drug or alcohol addicts does not feel that they have become unable to succeed in the treatment. If the scope for relapse is planned beforehand, then the addicted individuals get a fair idea that such kind of things are likely to happen and that they necessarily does not imply a setback or a hurdle in the overall recovery process. Relapse should be considered as an inherent part of the process of recovery.

Signs of relapse to look out for:

It is likely that the addicts fail to realize the initial signs of trigger. As a friend or family of the addict the following are some of the signs to look out for:

A particular event. Person or song triggers a desire in them to go back to the use of the drugs or alcohol.
Then they try justifying with themselves that one glass or one puff will not do any harm.
Then they proceed towards acquiring the specific drink or drugs, which they were addicted to.

Scope of Relapse prevention plans in drug and alcohol rehab:

While the drug or alcohol addict is enrolled into a program of the rehab centers care should be taken to find out what exactly urged the person to choose the path of alcohol or drug addiction. Whether it is the presence of any special group of friends or any special event in his life that turned traumatic in the end or is it a kick that he got from simply enjoying life in that manner? It is during the informal chat session with the professionals at the drug and alcohol rehab that the addicts are encouraged to list some of the possible triggers that they think may result in relapse or that have urged them to become addicts. This list is then handed over to the family and they are warned against the presence of these things.

What is a trigger?

Triggers may be any such things that are responsible in pushing these individuals into the arena of drug or alcohol addiction. Triggers may also make a person want to go back to addiction. Things like meeting friends at a bar or such friends who are also drug addicts. They may also comprise of harmless things like listening to a particular song on the television, I pod or radio or going through an old picture album that brings a spontaneous emotional reaction. Most of the time the obvious triggers can be avoided in relapse prevention with little or no difficulty at all. However you need to be careful about those triggers which even the addicts or the counseling professionals at the drug and alcohol rehab centers are unable to identify.

Before making a decision on getting drug treatment, be sure to check out a drug and alcohol rehab and ask them questions so you may make an educated decision whether or not it is the right treatment center for you and your needs. At a drug and alcohol rehab you will learn about the disease of addiction and how to overcome addiction.

Relapse Prevention in Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

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