08 Apr How To Create A Bulletproof Relapse Prevention Plan
If you are preparing for addiction treatment, you may be looking for tips on creating a relapse prevention plan to help you stay sober for good. What elements should a plan include? Do you need a doctor to help guide you through recovery even after you’ve finished detox? Read on for the information you need.
Table of Contents:
Steps to building a relapse prevention plan
Relapse occurs when someone who has been through detox and recovery uses a substance or alcohol again.
1. Understand the stages of relapse
There are three stages to relapse. These stages can begin weeks or even months before the relapse itself occurs.
The three stages of relapse are:
Emotional relapse
Emotional relapse: Emotional relapse occurs when you aren’t actively thinking about using, but your thought and behavior patterns are likely to lead to relapse. This stage can manifest as bottling emotions, feelings of anxiety or anger, or neglecting self-care.
Mental relapse
Mental relapse: This is a bargaining phase in which you are debating about whether or not you want to use the drug. You may even begin planning to use a substance again.
Physical relapse
Physical relapse: This final stage of relapse is when you start using a substance again. Relapses may begin as one lapse, but can lead you to start using regularly again.
2. Learn your triggers
Identifying your triggers can help you develop techniques to overcome them. By learning your triggers, you can take steps to avoid people, places, and situations that may interfere with your recovery.
Examples of common relapse triggers include:
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Drug paraphernalia
- Locations or environments in which you frequently used drugs
- Relationship difficulties
- People who enable your addiction
- Negative feelings like stress or loneliness
One technique to help combat triggers is taking steps to distract yourself from cravings or triggers.
Some examples of how you can do this include:
- Seek out new hobbies to occupy your time
- Ask loved ones to join you in activities that help curb cravings
- If you had a regular schedule for substance consumption, alter your routine so you have something else to do during those times.
3. Improve your diet and nutrition to help recovery
Eating a healthy diet while in recovery can help fuel your body to heal and lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. When a person feels healthier, they are less likely to relapse as a result of their subsequent improved mood. It should be noted that the priority during detox is to avoid relapse, so if you aren’t able to manage a drastic change in your eating habits, you should not worry.
Some examples of steps you can take to improve nutrition during detox and recovery include:
- Stick to regular mealtimes
- Eat low fat meals
- Try to eat protein, complex carbohydrates, and dietary fiber
- Avoid caffeine
- Consider supplements like B-complex, Zinc, and vitamins A and C
Making sure you eat regularly can help curb cravings; addiction can cause a person to forget what hunger feels like, which can lead them to misinterpret it as a drug craving.
4. Consider IV therapy as part of your relapse prevention plan
IV therapy treatments can also help fuel the body during detox and recovery. NAD IV treatments contain coenzymes that help repair the body, and allow 100% of the vitamins and nutrients to be absorbed. IV fluids help hydrate the body and flush out drugs and other toxins. NAD treatments can also bind to opioid receptors, which can help lessen withdrawal severity and curb cravings. These treatments can also help improve cognitive function by restoring proper brain chemistry.
The importance of medically-guided detox and recovery
Depending on the substance involved, detox can be dangerous. Dependency on substances like alcohol or opioids can cause severe symptoms that can be fatal if left untreated.
Detox experts will evaluate patients’ medical history and overall health to determine the best approach to detox, which is usually a tapering plan. Tapering plans to slowly reduce consumption help lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, which leads to better long-term recovery results.
Healthcare professionals also evaluate patients to identify any underlying health issues that may contribute to an addiction. It is not unusual for people to self-medicate with substances to treat symptoms of underlying mental health disorders. Treating these conditions can improve mental health, help lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms, and increase the likelihood of a successful recovery.
Therapy can help you learn ways to cope with triggers and learn healthy processes necessary to keep your recovery on track. Having an expert medically guide you through the process allows you to focus on your recovery with peace of mind that your withdrawal management plan is safe.
The benefits of medically-guided detox at home
Getting treatment for your addiction at home can especially help in avoiding relapse. Healthcare professionals can bring treatment to you, conducting evaluations and administering treatment in the comfort and privacy of your home. This method of detox can be particularly effective in preventing relapse versus traditional inpatient programs.
These programs offer highly controlled and regulated environments to help patients learn how to avoid triggers. However, many people struggle to apply these methods to real life situations. With in-home services, counselors can work with patients in the moment as stressors and cravings come up, and work with patients to develop coping mechanisms. The convenience of detox at home can also help it be a more effective treatment. By eliminating the commute, wait, and scheduling headaches associated with seeking healthcare, patients in recovery can instead stay home and focus on their goals.
Elite Home Detox Can Help You Create A Bulletproof Relapse Prevention Plan At Home
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, reach out to Elite Home Detox. We are a concierge medical practice specializing in addiction medicine, offering services in the comfort and privacy of patients’ homes. We offer a wide array of addiction-focused medical services, including:
- In-Home Detox: Healthcare professionals will visit your home to monitor progress and administer treatment for detox symptoms
- Sober Companionship: Sober companions are specially trained to act as personal coaches to help you adjust to a drug-free lifestyle
- Psychiatric Evaluation: Get treatment for any underlying mental health disorder to help achieve better health and avoid relapse.
- Case Management: Get matched with support services based on your individual needs.
- Medication Assisted Treatment: Detox symptoms and cravings are managed with medications to make you as comfortable as possible
- Interventions: Our Intervention Specialists can work with friends and family to develop a supportive message to help motivate a loved one to get help for their addiction
- NAD IV Therapy: NAD IV therapy can help the body heal faster and reduce withdrawal symptoms
- Concierge Medical Services: We offer addiction-focused healthcare treatment to help address the short- and long-term health concerns that may appear during recovery.
Our Aftercare Recovery Memberships allow you access to comprehensive services for a monthly rate. Whether you or a loved one has tried traditional clinical treatment before, or is struggling with addiction for the first time, our services can help guide people struggling with addiction back to their best selves. Discreet, addiction-focused healthcare in the place where you feel most comfortable. Contact Elite Home Detox today!