Preventing Relapse in Different Stages of Recovery: Tailoring Strategies for Each Phase

Addiction is a complex and chronic condition that must be managed consistently to maintain recovery. While the relapse rate for addiction is between 40% and 60%, you do not have to experience a relapse if you remain vigilant in maintaining your condition.[1]

During each phase of recovery, you will engage in various types of relapse prevention strategies to help you stay sober.

For example, detox programs will provide you with medications that limit withdrawal symptoms and cravings. During inpatient rehab you will be fully immersed in a treatment program, living on-site to prevent you from experiencing relapse. Next, intensive outpatient programs will offer you medication management, group, and individual therapy, as well as clinical assessments to ensure that you remain sober.

Once you are out of treatment, you will have continued access to support through aftercare services and should begin participating in a recovery community to keep yourself accountable and continue learning vital relapse prevention strategies.

How is Relapse Prevented in Each Stage of Recovery?

A huge aspect of addiction treatment is relapse prevention. Each stage of treatment offers different services, types of support, and strategies to ensure that you remain on the path.

Detox

The main goal of detox is to help your body adjust to sobriety, ensuring that you do not experience severe withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Since withdrawal and cravings can make you more likely to relapse, detox centers prevent this from occurring by providing you with medications.

For example, if you are struggling with opioid addiction, you will be prescribed medication like methadone or Suboxone, which bind to opioid receptors in the brain to prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

In addition to medication, detox centers will conduct regular assessments to track your progress, check in about the symptoms you are experiencing, and adjust your medication accordingly. This ensures that the relapse prevention methods they are using are actually working for you.

Inpatient Rehab

If you attend inpatient rehab, you will be living at the facility full-time. You will be completely separated from outside triggers in an environment that is completely drug and alcohol-free. This separation is important, as it allows you time to develop healthy coping mechanisms and relapse prevention strategies before you have to face the most common triggers.

During inpatient rehab, you will participate in intensive relapse prevention therapy. In both an individual and group setting, you will learn relapse prevention strategies like mindfulness, breathing exercises, and “playing the tape through” – an exercise that involves remembering the downsides of substance abuse. This prepares you to avoid relapse once you are outside of the safety of an inpatient facility.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) offer many of the same services as inpatient programs, however, you are expected to live in your own home or a sober living program. While you receive more freedom in IOP, you are also going to be more vulnerable to everyday triggers.

IOPs help you prevent relapse by teaching you healthy coping mechanisms that you get to practice in your everyday life. After attending your treatment sessions for the day, you will return home to relax, work, or attend school. In each of these environments, you will have opportunities to practice your relapse prevention skills.

Additionally, you may still be given medications to prevent cravings if you are in a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program.

After Treatment

The stage of recovery after you have completed treatment is one of the most critical times in your sobriety. While you will have continued access to support through aftercare services with your treatment program, you will have to rely on yourself and the skills you have learned to prevent relapse.

The most common ways people avoid relapse after treatment include:

• Continued attendance at therapy
• Medication management
• Participation in an alumni support group at your old treatment center
• Joining a recovery community like a 12-step program
• Leaning on your support systems during times of need
• Sticking to a daily and weekly schedule to maintain consistency and accountability
• Living in a sober living home to stay connected to addiction recovery services

While there are many ways to maintain recovery from addiction, most people use the above-mentioned strategies. It is important to note that not everyone’s recovery looks the same, which means what works for one person might not be right for you. You must figure out what relapse prevention strategies best suit your needs.

Find Help Today

If you or a loved one suffers from addiction or recently experienced a relapse, Flourishing Foundations Recovery is here to help. Our outpatient detox and treatment program can provide you with the medications you need to overcome withdrawal, prevent cravings, and begin your recovery journey.

To learn more about our outpatient detox program or to get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment, please contact us today.

References:

1. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): The Science of Addiction Treatment and Recovery, Retrieved January 2024 From https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery