Relapse Prevention Activities

Old habits die hard. Once you have made a positive change in your life, it is important to focus on staying on the wagon and not relapsing into old behaviors. To do this successfully, you must know about relapse prevention activities and incorporate them into your life.

Awareness

• Identify what situations and what influences were around that caused you to engage in harmful behavior. For example, if you were addicted to drugs or alcohol, think about the environment that created an easy pathway to drinking or taking drugs. Most likely, it would be particular friends, bars, clubs, parties ... These people and places must be avoided to prevent a relapse. Be honest with yourself, and assess exactly what and or whom it is that may be disadvantageous to your recovery and stay away.

Have A Confidant

• A person dealing with a change in lifestyle or behavior must have someone he can confide in if he feels as if old habits may return. Once these negative thought patterns set it, talk to someone immediately. This can be a family member, close friend, psychiatrist or psychologist. Anyone you trust and feel can be a good sounding board can be a confidant. Do not concern yourself with pride or looking like you are dependent as these feelings may lead to you attempting to take care of your issue by yourself. This misguided thought process may become a perfect breeding ground for a relapse.

Find A Support Group

• Do not isolate yourself from others when a behavioral change is made. If you are left alone with your thoughts for long periods of time, past negative behaviors may re-emerge. Find a group of people who are in your same situation with whom you can socialize, and provide and receive encouragement. Most cities and suburban areas offer meet groups tailored to your specific needs. For example, if you are single with children, find a group where the members are single with children. If there is a special hobby you enjoy, find a group with others that enjoy the same thing.

Acknowledgement

• It is inevitable that unpleasant thoughts will occur. Acknowledge these feelings and accept them. Do not let them fester into harmful emotions that may cause a relapse in behavior. When they arise, focus on something positive. Remember good times and happy memories if you feel like you may fall into the trap you were previously in. Engaging in physical activities can be a great way to uplift your spirits. Exercise releases endorphins which are natural pain and stress relievers. Find your own stress management technique and employ it whenever you begin to feel down and out.