Top Reasons for Relapse in Recovery

Relapsing in recovery can be common, especially among those who do not address the fact that they may be in a time they need some support. To find out more on the top reasons people relapse in recovery, continue reading.

What is a relapse in recovery?

A relapse is a deterioration in health after a temporary recovery. This simply means that someone going through addiction recovery to quit and put an end to their substance abuse goes back to using the substance. 

It often happens as a result of improper care and poor mental health, which can be caused by not finding the right program to aid addiction recovery. 

More on the reasons a relapse in recovery can happen below.

Improper Detox

An improper detox, which lacks sufficient stabilization, can result in relapse during recovery. When a person goes through recovery, they may often attain cravings and withdrawals, which can make them want to use the substance again. 

Withdrawals and cravings can cause stress and discomfort, which some people give into. If they do, this is called a relapse. Therefore, an improper detox of the substance can result in craving it again and interfere with the recovery process. 

It is best to choose recovery programs that offer an efficient care system to ensure complete detoxification and stabilization. 

For example, the best centers will offer a model of care system whereby they have different stages to ensure that the detox/stabilization is working effectively. It will ensure that the detox is adequate enough, and the person is stable enough, to avoid a relapse. This will ensure that they are on the right road to recovery and work towards a life without addiction and the potential of relapse. 

Triggers

When substance abusers go through recovery, they don’t know how to deal with and regulate emotions until they are out the other end. Therefore, they might easily be triggered to want to use the substance again when they feel uneasy and uncomfortable without the substance that they heavily rely on. 

Therefore, it is common for people to experience a relapse in recovery due to emotional triggers. 

On the other hand, triggers can involve being around the wrong people and in the wrong environment. Having easy access to the substance or being surrounded by people who are not supportive of your recovery may result in you relapsing.

Mental Health Struggles

On the topic of emotions, it can be common for people to relapse in recovery when they are dealing with mental health issues. 

Anxiety and depression can heighten the need for a substance, which might make those in recovery give in and give up their journey back to good health. Therefore, they will relapse as a result of unstable emotions and a lack of wellbeing.

For some, it is just a part of the process

For some people in recovery, relapsing is simply a part of their process and journey back to better health. Some people need to try it again and again throughout the recovery process to reduce their cravings and come to the realization that they are better off without the substance. 

Although this cannot be helped, sometimes some people just need to relapse in order to come out better after complete recovery. More often than not, relapsing might help the person avoid future use altogether.

Poor Aftercare Guidance

A lack of aftercare and aftercare guidance can result in a relapse, as the person may not have the right support or setup to avoid using the substance again. For instance, should a person come out of recovery and return back to their normal life, which involves other substance users, they might go back down the road of addiction again. 

Therefore, proper aftercare guidance will ensure that the person takes the right preventative measures in order to stay stable. 
It helps to attain aftercare from the best rehab centers, as these will make sure to take good care of you in order to avoid relapsing. For example, a top rehab center in Colorado, or your local area, will ensure to offer you the best aftercare to ensure that you avoid going back to use the substance. They will support you and keep a watchful eye over you to ensure you stay stable.

Rehab in Colorado – Peaks Recovery Centers

If you (or someone you know) are suffering from a mental health disorder or substance use disorder, then get help from Peaks Recovery. We offer both inpatient and outpatient services designed to let you restore your life to normality and build the future that you deserve.  We encourage you to contact us at any time. You can also fill out this contact form here to find out more.