For those who enter a drug rehab facility, their obvious goal is to address and overcome their addiction and achieve lifelong recovery. During their course of treatment, those who are newly recovering will both acknowledge and address the underlying issues that had kept them stuck in the vicious cycle of drug and alcohol addiction. With the help of experienced and compassionate treatment staff, they will gain the tools and support they need to become empowered in making the changes necessary to fully live a healthy and fulfilled life in recovery.
While all who successfully complete a drug treatment program strongly desire long-term recovery, relapse is commonplace. It is estimated that 90 percent of those who are in recovery will experience a relapse at least once in the first four years of sobriety. While many people who are in recovery successfully rebound after a relapse and go on to thrive in their recovery, there may be those who become stuck in a pattern of relapse after achieving some measure of sobriety. For people who are prone to chronic relapse, their addiction issues will become worse over time–and they may feel defeated and they will never learn how to stay sober in the long run.
Understanding Chronic Relapse
No matter the drug treatment facility, there are those clients who have attended rehab numerous times. Their story is familiar; they had successfully completed drug treatment, had achieved a significant period of sobriety, relapsed and ended up back in treatment and is starting over with the recovery process. This phenomenon is commonly known as the revolving door syndrome, and it has tremendous impacts on a person’s mental and physical health. While there are multiple reasons why people in recovery can get caught in this cycle of recovery and relapse, the most common reason is addicts fail to adequately plan for and prepare a solid recovery plan once they leave treatment and transition back into their daily life.
What Are The Dangers That Are Associated With Chronic Relapse?
For those who are prone to chronic relapsing, they are exposing themselves to certain dangers that will have significant impacts on their life down the road. First and foremost, those who chronically relapse may lose the motivation to muster the energy to put into their recovery. With each treatment attempt, the threat of relapse is ever-present and the addict can put unbelievable pressure on themselves to succeed. Secondly, repeated relapse can put a strain on family, friends and other loved ones. Watching an addict put work into their recovery only to have it slip through their fingers can be devastating, and it can put a strain on relationships. Additionally, being stuck in the cycle of relapse and recovery puts additional financial strains on both the addict and their family. The average cost of a 30-day drug treatment program runs into the tens of thousands of dollars. Even if the addict has insurance, there are limits in regards to what will be covered and the addict can find themselves in debt.
How Can Addicts Effectively Address Chronic Relapsing?
If you or a loved one are prone to repeated relapse, it is important that you find a treatment facility that can address your special needs. If you are stuck in the cycle of relapse and sobriety, you may have an undiagnosed mental disorder that lies at the root of your addiction. In those situations, it is crucial that you find a drug rehab that specializes in dual diagnosis treatment so you can get the appropriate mental health help in addition to substance abuse treatment. Another important facet of treatment that you need to consider is aftercare. If you are experiencing chronic relapse in your sobriety, chances are you aren’t receiving the extra support and guidance that is provided in intensive outpatient or sober living programs.
You may also want to take a closer look at the duration of the treatment program that you are considering. On average, drug treatment programs last 28-30 days. While this may seem like an adequate length of time to deal with your addiction issues, addiction is a disease in which it takes considerable for you to completely recover. To increase your chances of lifelong recovery, you should consider a treatment stay of 90 days of longer. This extended period of treatment will allow you to completely detox from the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms associated with substance abuse, and it will give you the time and space needed to fully address the root causes of your addiction.
In addition to aftercare programs, many drug treatment centers offer ongoing booster sessions in which people can learn more about the triggers that can lead to relapse. These booster sessions can help you revamp and refine your recovery plan in order to make it more solid when you transition back home. If you are feeling symptoms of anxiety or depression in your recovery, you must seek professional help right away. Mental disorders have complex roots, and trying to tackle these on your own can make things worse. Qualified and experienced mental health professionals will provide you with the counseling and teach you the healthy coping skills you need to successfully navigate the peaks and valleys that are present in early recovery. Above all else, you need to put your recovery first! You must put in the necessary effort to ensure that you are taking care of your needs before you think about the needs of others.
Are You Stuck In The Revolving Door Of Recovery And Relapse?
Chronic relapse can destroy your sense of self-esteem and worth. While it may seem there is no hope, recovery is possible with the right help. The addiction professionals at First Steps Recovery are fully committed to help you find lasting recovery, and they are able to create an individualized program that perfectly fits your unique needs. Put an end to the revolving door of recovery and relapse once and for all and call First Steps Recovery toll-free today. Lifelong recovery is closer than you think.
