Relapse Prevention in Laredo, TX
Drug abuse is a chronic disease, meaning a person is not simply "cured" when they complete a drug addiction rehab program. While a person may have good days without cravings or thoughts of drug abuse, they will have days when their mind is preoccupied with thoughts of their former life using drugs. By continuing to engage in relapse prevention in Laredo, when a person has these thoughts, they will ideally be prepared to take action to reduce temptation and minimize the likelihood they will start using again.
Relapse prevention programs encompass any program that is designed to help an individual stay sober. While the approach may slightly vary based on the program, the ultimate end-goal is to help a person engage in healthy behaviors, which are known to reduce risk for relapse, as well as identify when their thoughts and actions may be putting them at risk for relapse.
Why Are Relapse Prevention Tools Necessary? What Do They Aim to Accomplish?
Relapse prevention "tools" refers to the program and strategies that relapse prevention programs use. There are many options for programs and participation that a person can choose from. Many relapse prevention programs are centered around the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This approach involves helping an individual identify potentially serious thoughts and behaviors that could lead to relapse. In addition to getting a better understanding as to how and why relapse can occur, tools that use CBT also help a person identify positive behaviors they can use to prevent a relapse from occurring.
Relapse prevention in Laredo often centers around several steps. They include:
Identify High-Risk Situations: A person is more likely to return to drug abuse when they associate with others who continue to use drugs and who may pressure the person into also using drugs. Additional high-risk situations include when a person is neglecting to take care of themselves, such as through poor sleep and diet.
Develop an Effective Coping Response: For those who suffer from drug addiction, using drugs was once an unhealthy and ineffective coping mechanism to helping a person get and stay sober. Through relapse prevention in Laredo, a person can start to take action to reduce temptation and develop a healthier coping response than using drugs when faced with temptation. Examples could include refraining from hanging out with bad influences, calling a mentor or loved one when tempted to use drugs, and taking up a hobby that provides a positive outlet for stress relief, such as journaling or yoga.
Identifying Warning Signs: Sometimes the warning signs of relapse are not as simple as knowing a person is thinking about using drugs again. Often, there are earlier signs that our relapse prevention treatment programs in Laredo can teach a person and their family to start to identify. Examples could include not taking as good of care of themselves or becoming less regular with meeting attendance.
Participating in Continued Programs: 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous can help a person maintain their sobriety by meeting with others who are struggling with alcohol addiction in Laredo on a daily basis and sharing their techniques for remaining sober. If a person is uncomfortable with group therapy participation, relapse prevention programs also offer individual counseling so a person can receive one-on-one attention.
Relapse Prevention Aftercare Services
Aftercare services are drug relapse prevention services that a person can take advantage of upon completion of an inpatient or outpatient drug rehabilitation program. Examples of these programs include:
- Sober-living Homes/Halfway Houses: These are facilities where a person can live for months to a year that have strict rules in regards to sobriety. They provide a safe and secure place for a person to continue getting their life together free from temptations drugs and alcohol can provide.
- Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Meetings: For almost 100 years, these 12-step relapse prevention programs have helped people across the world become and stay sober.
- Outpatient Treatment: Outpatient treatments involve coming to a rehabilitation facility for meetings or counseling sessions, including family therapy. Through outpatient treatment, a person can also make connections with social and case workers who can help them navigate outpatient needs, such as for housing, job search, or child custody agreements. As opposed to our inpatient rehab in Laredo, we have less control over our patients so instilling self-control is important.
According to the book "Relapse Prevention," participating in relapse prevention programs is more effective than no treatment at all after rehabilitation and just as effective as other drug treatment approaches, such as psychotherapy, in reducing the risk for relapse. According to the book, the more education and training a person has on relapse prevention, they more likely they are to stay sober. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.