Relapse can be one of the most challenging and emotionally difficult experiences in the recovery journey. If you’ve returned to substance use after a period of sobriety, you may be feeling overwhelmed by shame, disappointment, or fear about what happens next. At Great Plains Recovery Center in Tulsa, we want you to know that relapse doesn’t mean failure, and there are immediate steps you can take to get back on track toward lasting recovery.
Understanding Relapse as Part of Recovery
Before exploring what to do after a relapse, it’s important to understand that relapse is unfortunately common in addiction recovery. Many people experience one or more relapses before achieving long-term sobriety. This doesn’t mean you’re weak, that treatment doesn’t work, or that you’re destined to struggle with addiction forever. Instead, relapse often provides valuable information about what strategies need adjustment and what additional support might be helpful.
Relapse typically occurs in stages, beginning with emotional and mental relapse before progressing to physical relapse. Recognizing these early warning signs can help prevent future relapses, but when physical relapse has already occurred, the focus shifts to immediate response and getting back into recovery as quickly as possible.
The shame and self-judgment that often accompany relapse can actually become barriers to seeking help and returning to recovery. Remember that addiction is a chronic medical condition, and like other chronic conditions, it sometimes requires ongoing adjustments to treatment approaches.
Step One: Call Your Support Network
The first and most crucial step after a relapse is reaching out to your support network. This might feel like the hardest thing to do when you’re experiencing shame or disappointment, but isolation will only make the situation worse. Your support network exists specifically for moments like this.
Contact trusted family members, friends in recovery, sponsors, or anyone who has been part of your recovery journey. These individuals understand the challenges of addiction and recovery and are likely to respond with compassion and practical support rather than judgment. Many have experienced their own struggles and setbacks and can provide perspective and encouragement during this difficult time.
When making these calls, be honest about what happened without minimizing or making excuses. Simply state that you’ve relapsed and need support. Most people in your recovery network will appreciate your honesty and courage in reaching out, and they can help you take the next necessary steps.
If you don’t feel comfortable calling anyone immediately, consider texting or sending a message to let someone know you need help. The important thing is to break the isolation and connect with people who care about your wellbeing and recovery.
Step Two: Contact Treatment Providers
Once you’ve reached out to your personal support network, contact your treatment providers or the facility where you received care. This might include therapists, counselors, case managers, or the treatment center where you completed a program. Many treatment providers have protocols in place for helping clients who experience relapse.
Don’t worry about disappointing your treatment team or facing judgment from professionals. Treatment providers understand that relapse can be part of the recovery process, and they’re trained to respond with clinical expertise and compassion. Their primary concern will be getting you the help you need as quickly as possible.
If you no longer have contact information for previous treatment providers, or if you didn’t receive formal treatment before, this is an excellent time to reach out to a treatment center for guidance. Even if you’re not ready to enter treatment immediately, speaking with addiction professionals can help you understand your options and develop a plan for moving forward.
Be prepared to provide information about what substances you used, how much, and for how long. This information helps treatment providers assess any immediate medical needs and recommend appropriate levels of care.
What do I do if I relapse? A flowchart to help
Step Three: Identify What Caused the Relapse
Understanding what led to the relapse is crucial for preventing future episodes and adjusting your recovery plan. This process requires honest self-reflection and may be easier to do with the help of a therapist or counselor who can provide objective perspective and guide your analysis.
Common relapse triggers include stressful life events, relationship problems, financial difficulties, exposure to people or places associated with past substance use, overconfidence about recovery, stopping participation in recovery activities, and untreated mental health symptoms like depression or anxiety.
Sometimes relapse occurs due to inadequate coping skills for managing difficult emotions or situations. Other times, it may result from not having a strong enough support system or recovery plan in place. Physical factors like inadequate sleep, poor nutrition, or stopping prescribed medications can also contribute to relapse vulnerability.
Take time to identify the specific circumstances, emotions, and decisions that led to your relapse. This information becomes invaluable for strengthening your recovery plan and developing better strategies for managing similar situations in the future.
Step Four: Consider Professional Help
Depending on the nature and extent of your relapse, professional help may be necessary to safely return to recovery. This is particularly important if you’ve been using substances for an extended period, have been using large amounts, or are experiencing physical or mental health complications.
Professional help might involve medical detoxification if you’ve developed physical dependence again, intensive outpatient treatment to rebuild recovery skills and support systems, residential treatment if outpatient options aren’t sufficient, or medication management if you’re dealing with withdrawal symptoms or co-occurring mental health conditions.
Don’t let pride or fear prevent you from seeking the level of care you need. Professional treatment provides structure, medical supervision, and intensive support that can be crucial for successfully interrupting a relapse and returning to stable recovery.
Even if your relapse was brief, professional assessment can help determine what additional support might be beneficial and identify any adjustments needed in your recovery plan.
Step Five: Increase Therapy Sessions
Individual therapy becomes particularly important after a relapse, as it provides a safe space to process what happened, work through any shame or guilt, and develop strategies for moving forward. If you were already in therapy, consider increasing the frequency of sessions during this vulnerable period.
If you weren’t regularly attending therapy before the relapse, this is an excellent time to begin. Therapy can help you understand the underlying factors that contributed to your relapse, develop stronger coping skills, and address any mental health issues that may be interfering with your recovery.
Different types of therapy may be beneficial depending on your specific needs. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help identify and change thought patterns that contribute to substance use, while trauma-focused therapy may be necessary if underlying trauma contributed to your relapse.
The increased support and accountability that regular therapy provides can be invaluable during the period immediately following a relapse when motivation and commitment may feel fragile.
Step Six: Join Relapse Prevention Groups
Connecting with others who have experienced similar struggles can provide invaluable support and practical strategies for maintaining recovery. Relapse prevention groups focus specifically on developing skills and strategies for avoiding future relapses.
These groups may include traditional 12-step meetings, SMART Recovery groups, or specialized relapse prevention programs offered by treatment centers. The specific type of group is less important than finding a community where you feel comfortable sharing your experiences and learning from others.
Regular group attendance provides structure, accountability, and ongoing motivation for recovery. Hearing from others who have successfully navigated relapses and maintained long-term recovery can provide hope and practical guidance for your own journey.
Step Seven: Remember That Recovery is Possible
Perhaps most importantly, remember that relapse doesn’t mean you can’t achieve lasting recovery. Many people who go on to maintain long-term sobriety experienced one or more relapses during their recovery journey. Each relapse can provide valuable learning opportunities that ultimately contribute to stronger, more sustainable recovery.
Focus on getting back into recovery as quickly as possible rather than dwelling on self-blame or regret. The skills and insights you gained during previous periods of sobriety haven’t disappeared, and you can build on that foundation as you move forward.
Recovery is a process, not a single event, and setbacks don’t erase the progress you’ve made or your capacity for future success.
Moving Forward with Hope
If you’ve experienced a relapse, know that help is available and recovery remains possible. At Great Plains Recovery Center, we understand the challenges of relapse and are committed to helping individuals get back on track toward lasting recovery.
Don’t let shame or fear prevent you from seeking the help you need. Call Great Plains Recovery Center at 844-918-3518 to speak with our compassionate team about your situation and learn about treatment options that can support your return to recovery. Your journey isn’t over, and we’re here to help you take the next step forward.
