Tuesday 5 July 2016

How to Avoid Relapse after Alcohol Substance Abuse Treatment

After undergoing alcohol substance abuse treatment, you are ready to re-enter the mainstream society. However, you have anxious thoughts racing in your mind because you can only imagine living without alcohol or substance that you were abusing. Your goal is to lead alcohol or substance free life. Nevertheless, you know that you will always face triggers and urges that can make you relapse. Our experts share tips that will enable you to lead alcohol and substance free life.



Get continuous aftercare

Getting continuous and intense aftercare therapy will enable you to get the support that you need to remain sober. This is because aftercare enables you to stay focused and grounded. Minimizing aftercare or being overconfidence will lead to relapse. Therefore, to increase your rate of success, get realistic and continuous aftercare.

Keep yourself busy

There are people that you were spending most of your free time with before you seek treatment for alcohol and substance abuse. These people might still be in your mainstream society where you are going after your treatment. Since you do not want to hang out with these people, you might end up feeling lonely. In that case, you might choose to join them. However, instead of doing this, contact your support group whenever you feel lonely, restless or bored. You can also make new friends or pick new and safe hobbies that will enable you to pass time without resorting to drinking or abusing substances.

Use you training on how to avoid relapse

While undergoing treatment for alcohol and substance abuse in a rehab center, you most probably received training on how to avoid relapsing. It is important that you use this training to avoid relapsing. If you ignore this training, you will be unable to counter triggers that will tempt you to drink or abuse substances that you were abusing before you receive treatment.

Take proper care

Several things may trigger your craving for substances or alcohol. For instance, being angry, tired or lonely can induce the craving when you do not expect it. It is therefore important that you take care of your soul and body to pre-empt risks. Getting adequate sleep, eating right and hanging out with trusted friends who do not abuse substances or alcohol are also ways of taking care.

Be open to your family

Being open to your family will enable you to make healthy decisions or choices. Therefore, make sure that your family knows your feelings and goals. If you are stressed, lonely or bored, let your family knows because these feelings are likely to trigger relapse. Being open to your family will not only strengthen relationships with family members. It will also enable you to get the support that you need so that you can make healthier, sound decisions when faced with triggers.


Seeking alcohol substance abuse treatment is an important step in life. However, maintaining sobriety requires effort. Contact us today if you need more help on how to maintain sobriety after undergoing treatment for alcohol and substance abuse. 

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