Relapse Doesn't Have to Mean Failure

What should I do if a relapse in my drug addiction or alcoholism recovery? Unfortunately, alcohol & drug addiction relapse is tragically common among people who are working on recovering from alcohol and other drug addiction. The problem is especially bad among people who have completed a short term stay in a rehab center, usually 30 days or less. Experts agree that between 40 and 90 percent of people relapse within 30 days after completing a short term rehab stay. So if you've relapsed, you should know that you’re not alone. Addiction is a chronic, progressive condition that, when inadequately treated, invariably involves relapse and disease progression. So, relapse isn't necessarily a sign of failure, just that treatment has been inadequate and there is more work to do. There are positive steps you can take.

Address the Real Problem Right Away

The first thing you should do after relapsing is to confront the problem directly. Only after you admit there’s a problem can you work toward a solution. It can be tempting to feel overwhelmed with shame or slip into denial, and say to yourself “it’s not so bad,” or “it only happened one time, and it won’t happen again.” Just like the first time you looked at yourself and decided you needed help, you need to be realistic. On the other hand, you should keep a positive attitude. It can be too easy to slip into depression and self-hatred. You might feel like a failure after relapse. But you should keep in mind that mistakes happen, that addiction is a powerful disease, and you can ask for help, learn important lessons, and become stronger in your recovery. Let this sad situation become your best motivation for change. This pattern of sobriety followed by relapse can stop. For good. Your life is at stake.

What to Do About Negative Feelings?

Relapse can often come along with feelings of shame, deep depression, or a sense of failing. But that’s not how it needs to be. You should know this: many many people relapse after drug rehab. Getting sober is not the end of the story. You’re involved in a lifelong commitment for recovery, and even if you experience one setback, that doesn't mean you’re losing. It means you have more work to do, and areas of your life and recovery that deserve attention. Try to put things in context: you’re on the right track, and you’re going to beat this addiction.

Get Right Back At It With Rehab

How can I avoid relapse in the future? Serenity Vista offers long-term stay programs, which can significantly reduce your risk of relapse. In fact, after a 90-day program of alcohol treatment or other drug rehab treatment, the risk of relapse drops by 73%! And our high-quality private rehab is an amazing deal: 90 days of luxury rehab at Serenity Vista costs roughly the same as 30 days of basic rehab in the US or Canada. Click here to learn more about our 90 day rehab program.