Cognitive therapy is one of the main tools for changing people’s negative thinking and developing healthy coping skills 9,10. The effectiveness of cognitive therapy in relapse prevention has been confirmed in numerous studies 11. Cognitive therapy can help individuals develop positive coping skills and change negative thinking, aiding in relapse prevention. By focusing on the individual’s cognitive processes, they can be equipped to more effectively manage difficult situations without resorting to their previous behavior.

Treatment Programs and Ongoing Support

When a person takes the time to relax and take care of themselves, they decrease feelings of irritability, exhaustion, and discontentment that can lead to relapse. Self-care is the cornerstone of a healthy recovery journey. Rule 4 stresses the importance of prioritizing self-care to maintain mental and emotional well-being. This means getting adequate sleep, eating healthily, and finding healthy ways to relax and cope with stress. Taking time to practice self-care equips you better to face challenges that may arise during your recovery journey and helps prevent the risk of relapse. The first rule of recovery emphasizes the importance of embracing life changes to create a new, healthier lifestyle.

Navigating Triggers and Managing Cravings

Post-acute withdrawal begins shortly after the acute phase of withdrawal and is a common cause of relapse 17. Unlike acute withdrawal, which has mostly physical symptoms, post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) has relapse prevention and the five rules of recovery mostly psychological and emotional symptoms. Its symptoms also tend to be similar for most addictions, unlike acute withdrawal, which tends to have specific symptoms for each addiction 1. In mental relapse, there is a war going on inside people’s minds.

Rule of Recovery 2: Be Completely Honest

Then, find ways to escape, perhaps by watching an entertaining movie or developing a new hobby. Together, self-care strategies can help you reduce the stress and avoid the negative thoughts that often lead to relapse. The above stages of recovery, as well as most forms of relapse, can be explained by the five rules of recovery.

• Clinical experience has shown that individuals have a hard time identifying their high-risk situations and believing that they are high-risk.
• However, if you are aware of them, they will not catch you off-guard.
• Ask yourself how much time did you spend on your addiction?
• Here are a few coping methods to help you during your recovery.
• Maintaining a relapse prevention plan involves regular reviews to assess its effectiveness.
• Discover the proper detox definition and explore effective practices for achieving optimal wellness today.
• A basic fear of recovery is that the individual is not capable of recovery.

Recovery has its own set of evidence-based rules to abide by. There are five of them, and you need to follow them to keep relapse at bay and enjoy an addiction-free life. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, Never Alone Recovery can help. Offering free online support such as addiction consultants, can help you find recovery communities that follow the 5 rules of recovery. Call our toll-free number today to see which services are right for you. When considering self-care, many individuals worry about being selfish.

The Stages of Recovery and Their Challenges

This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. Jeanette Hu, AMFT, based in California, is a former daily drinker, psychotherapist, and Sober Curiosity Guide. She supports individuals who long for a better relationship with alcohol, helping them learn to drink less without living less.

• You don’t recover from an addiction by simply stopping using.
• The practice of self-care during mind-body relaxation translates into self-care in the rest of life.
• Tracking progress and celebrating successes reinforces motivation while adapting the plan ensures it meets current needs.
• They begin to feel restless, irritable, and discontent.
• Together, your groups and recovery circle can help you identify and avoid relapse.

Furthermore, it brings attention to the significance of aftercare programs, which help reinforce coping skills and support long-term recovery. A mental relapse sets in when a patient begins to contemplate using again. It differs from simply reminiscing how life used to be when addiction was still there. Thinking back on the past and anticipating the future without drugs is normal and is part of post-treatment therapy.

Tracking progress and celebrating successes reinforces motivation while adapting the plan ensures it meets current needs. Understanding how the relapse process works is essential to prevent it from happening to you. It takes weeks or years before a person acts on the thought of using again. The quicker you recognise signs that you are about to relapse, the easier it will be to turn things around. (Narcotics Anonymous) are effective in preventing relapse. They allow people recovering from addiction to gather, converse and share their stories.

Start living by these five basic rules to increase your chances of a smooth and healthy recovery and avoid relapses along the way. So, there are five rules of recovery to follow if you wish to live a sober life and ensure your rehabilitation is a successful journey toward a better future. Applying these rules will help you to change how you think and interact with the world. You will learn to be honest, not only with others but with yourself, too. You will put yourself first because, ultimately, this path will lead you to you; a healthier and happier you.