Relapse Prevention in Allen, TX
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction can be managed, but not necessarily cured. It's important that a person participate in relapse prevention in Allen as a means to continue their sobriety. The NIDA reports that likelihood that a person will relapse after a period of sobriety is between 40 and 60 percent. This number is similar to that of other chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and asthma.
Experts consider addiction to be a chronic disease. This means that even if a person is no longer using drugs, they have the potential to relapse and return to drug abuse again. As a result, a person suffering from drug abuse should never really be "out of treatment," or altogether stop participating in programs that help them maintain their sobriety.
The term "relapse prevention" encompasses a number of program types, from housing options to group programs. Any program that encourages a person to stay sober can fall under the relapse prevention umbrella. A person may sometimes have to try several different relapse prevention programs before they find the one they respond to the most.
Why Are Relapse Prevention Tools Necessary?
Relapse prevention tools are necessary because the likelihood for relapse is a very real consideration when a person has a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse. Simply participating in a rehabilitation program or drug detox in Allen is often not enough to achieve the kind of lasting change that is necessary to help a person become and stay sober.
What Do Relapse Prevention Programs Aim to Accomplish?
Although programs for relapse prevention in Allen may be different in their approach, they may often share several different goals in terms of their focus and overarching lessons. Examples of these goals include:
- Avoiding High-Risk Situations: There are certain situations that even a person who has been sober for a decade or more may be tempted to return to drug and/or alcohol abuse. This can include going to an event where a person knows that others will be using drugs. Relapse prevention programs can teach a person how to avoid high-risk situations that increase the likelihood a person will relapse.
- Breaking Away From Bad Influences: Bad influences, such as a person they used to do drugs with, a drug dealer, or person who is always stressful and dramatic can all cause a person to resume their drug abuse.
- Learning Warning Signs/Triggers of Relapse: Perhaps one of the most functions of programs for relapse prevention is teaching a person about the warning signs and potential triggers of relapse. Often, those who relapse can trace their relapse back to a series of events. Examples can include stopping taking care of themselves or refraining from going to meetings. By learning the warning signs of relapse, a person can ideally correct these behaviors if they start occurring.
- Participating in Counseling/12-Step Programs: Counseling and 12-step programs are relapse prevention methods that have helped thousands of Americans maintain their sobriety. While 12-step programs aren't the only addiction relapse prevention methods, they are associated with successfully treating individuals struggling with addiction.
Relapse Prevention Aftercare Services
Drug and alcohol relapse prevention programs can help you or a loved one identify addiction aftercare programs that help a person stay sober after inpatient rehab in Allen. Examples of these aftercare services include:
Sober-Living Homes: These homes all have residents who are committed to sobriety. While a person can often come and go as they please, they will usually participate in common chores as well as group therapy programs whenever possible.
AA/NA Meetings: Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings are 12-step programs that allow a person struggling with drug and alcohol abuse to work through the "12 steps," which are a series of steps that a person can work through to admit their powerlessness over drugs and alcohol and make amends to the people they have wronged as a result of their substance abuse.
Counseling/Therapy: Participating in group, individual, and/or family counseling allows a person to begin the healing process. Therapists may use a variety of approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral counseling, to help a person learn the thoughts and behaviors that are associated with successful sobriety.
Outpatient Treatments: Outpatient treatments such as medication maintenance or therapies like methadone or Suboxone can enhance a person's sobriety and allow them to stop abusing illegal opiates.
Through relapse prevention in Allen, a person can find the resources they need to maintain their hard-fought sobriety. Call now for help (877) 804-1531.