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How to Prevent Relapse and Stay Sober

Whether you're recovering from a drug or an alcohol addiction, the road to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not always easy. In fact, old habits will occasionally tempt you, providing the possibility of a relapse, which is a return to undesirable behavior patterns. According to Caron Treatment Centers, relapse rates typically range from 50 percent to 90 percent, although the rates will vary according to factors such as the type of addiction and the length of your recovery. To avoid the return of self-destructive behavior, you can employ one of a number of strategies.

  1. Reward Yourself

    • Breaking old habits is not easy, especially if the long-term benefits are not immediately observable. To keep yourself on track, treat yourself to short-term rewards. For example, for every week you go without substance abuse, reward yourself with dinner at your favorite restaurant. This strategy is much more effective if you have a family member or friend who is willing to cover the bill for you.

    Support Groups

    • Caron Treatment Centers reports that 90 percent of individuals who attended weekly aftercare sessions, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, for a year were able to avoid relapse for that year. A support group will put you in touch with other individuals who share your same struggles and goals. Not only will your participation in this type of group treatment keep you motivated and give you an outlet for your problems, but having a sense of community will help you realize you are not the only one fighting off temptations.

    Avoid Temptation

    • Stay away from areas, items and people that may trigger temptation. For example, if you're a recovering alcoholic, stay away from bars and friends who drink heavily. Rather than provoke your cravings, look for other activities that will keep you as far from the stimuli as possible. Consider your abstinence an opportunity to engage in new hobbies and make new friends while reinventing yourself.

    Handle Stress

    • Stress often leads to a relapse, especially if the addictive behavior was once a way for you to handle stress. For example, if you smoked a pack of cigarettes after a hectic day at work, smoking has become your solution to stress-management. PsychCentral suggests that you find other ways to improve your negative emotions. For example, proper diet and regular exercise can help you manage mood swings. You might also practice relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and yoga.

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