How to Prevent an Alcoholic Relapse

There are various ways to prevent alcoholic relapse when you're in recovery for alcoholism. Addiction affects every aspect of a person's life. Alcoholism is a common thing in society and relapse often goes along with it, though it is not a requirement. Stats state that 1 in 40 patients in a rehab will stay sober long-term.

Instructions

Support Systems

• 1

  Keep up with your attendance at your recovery meetings, and try not to cut back on them.

• 2

  Try not to isolate. If you catch yourself isolating, call or visit someone. Keep in regular contact with your sponsor or support person, and re-work the steps if you're in a step program.

• 3

  Talk in your support groups about anything that's bothering you. Read your textbooks and workbooks pertaining to your recovery.

• 4

  Talk with your sponsor in recovery about harboring any resentments that you might have. Practice prayer and meditation daily.

• 5

  Return phone calls, and don't avoid people. Work on being social and making connections with people.

Behaviors to watch out for or red flags

• 6

  Watch out for rationalizing insane behavior. Don't avoid responsibilities.

• 7

  Avoid overreacting. Keep yourself in check. If you find yourself going into rages or storming off from a party, you are not in fit spiritual condition, and that means you are in danger of drinking. You should discuss your issues with a trusted party in recovery.

• 8

  Keep a tight watch on your money. Gambling, getting tickets or bouncing checks are various ways some alcoholics use to deal with feelings or problems when they know they can't drink.

• 9

  Be aware that money problems also can show up by way of overspending. A side effect of this is being defensive, craving drinks, going to bars, and slipping back into old behaviors minus the drink. Those are all warning signs that your mental state is in trouble. It is strongly suggested that the person in recovery get a handle on these by confiding in someone who is in recovery that they can trust.

Those Who Are Dually Diagnosed

• 10

  Seek counseling if obsessing is taking over your life. You can write about your obsession, but it's best not to dwell on it.

• 11

  Look at ways you may be sabotaging yourself. Take a personal inventory nightly. Write about what you're feeling.

• 12

  If you are abusing yourself or others, get help immediately. These behaviors can include anything from self-mutilation, spending the rent money, reneging on your word, and sabotaging yourself at work. It may be necessary to seek a group therapy situation to address these problems. These are also signs of depression, and it may be necessary to see a doctor regarding a possible bipolar diagnosis.

• 13

  Learn not to self-medicate with prescription drugs by using them as prescribed and not "borrowing" friends' pills. These destructive behaviors can be equally damaging.

• 14

  Get enough sleep, and eat the right foods. Some alcoholics thrive on staying busy. In no time at all, they are skipping meals and neglecting their sleep routine. Initially they may get a high or buzz from this, but both of these behaviors are dangerous to the alcoholic who must maintain a stable lifestyle.