Can Rehab Work for Me If I Have a History of Repeated Relapse?

I felt so hopeless during those last days of my addiction. I’d tried a number of different recovery paths, yet I just didn’t seem able to achieve lasting sobriety. What was wrong me? I decided to give recovery one more chance, but this time I would do whatever it took to succeed – no excuses. My change in attitude made all the difference, and I’m now sober almost nine years.  ~ Paul G.

Repeated relapse CAN be the foundation for recovery[/caption]Do you or your loved one have a history of repeated relapse? It can be incredibly disheartening to fail in your attempts to break free of addiction, but it doesn’t mean you are a hopeless case. The reality is that many of those who have managed to achieve lasting sobriety, failed multiple times before they were finally able to quit for good. Repeated relapse does not have to be a death sentence.

Is Relapse a Normal Part of Recovery?

The common pattern of multiple repeated relapse before achieving lasting recovery suggests that is a ‘normal’ part of recovery. It is important to emphasize that this doesn’t mean you need to keep relapsing before you can get better. What it does mean is that a history of chronic relapse does not suggest you are doomed to lifelong addiction.

There is nothing inherently special about those people who manage to quit substance abuse when compared to those who don’t. It is just that they develop a certain attitude that allows them to succeed. There is no reason why you can’t develop this same attitude. Choosing the right recovery support and best drug rehab will also significantly increase the likelihood of you reaching your goal.

How to Succeed at Rehab

If you are determined to do whatever it takes to get better, your success is practically guaranteed. The main reason many fail is an ambivalence towards recovery – secretly holding onto the hope of one day being able to drink or use drugs safely again. Making any type of major change to your life requires your full-commitment, and this is particularly the case when it comes to addiction.

Once you have accepted recovery as your only real option, the next step is to combine your determination with the most appropriate support. It is worth remember the 12-step saying at this stage – ‘half-measures availed us nothing’. Going to rehab can offer you the best chance of recovery, so it makes sense that you would want to choose this option.

One thing that you probably don’t want to bring with you to rehab would be excuses for failure. The people who succeed in life usually have all the same excuses for failure as everyone else, but instead they focus on what is going to help them achieve their goal. One of the dangers with expecting failure at rehab is you can easily create a self-fulfilling prophecy – e.g. if you don’t really believe you can succeed, you are unlikely to try very hard.  A history of repeated relapse does not need to be a future of repeated relapse.

Your determination to get the most out of rehab will be boosted further if you can develop an attitude of humility. This is not about becoming passive and submissive, but about being open to new ideas and developing a willingness to let go of unhelpful beliefs. In the East, they refer to this type of humility as ‘beginner’s mind’. The problem is if you are convinced you already have all the answers, you may be just wasting your time at rehab.

Rehabilitation for Alcohol, Nicotine & Other Drugs  - Tropical Alternatives

Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat is a private pay, intimate substance abuse treatment facility located in sunny Panama.  Solid 12 Step principles and meetings, personalized counselling sessions, art therapy, spiritual exploration, great food and great recreation make Serenity Vista an outstanding alternative to rehab in the United States or Canada. Repeated relapse can become your past, not your future.