Recovery from addiction is a life-long and challenging journey. In some cases, you or your loved one may experience bumps down the road, including relapsing.
Take note that even people with the best intentions and motivation can relapse due to a variety of triggers. Still, it’s never too late to get back on track and start again.
If you’re a loved one of someone who relapsed, LA Wellness Home is here to provide help and guidance. In this post, we’ll discuss what to do if someone relapses, what to say, and where you can seek professional help. Read on to learn how you can bring someone back to the right course.
What is relapsing?
What does it mean when someone relapses? Relapse is when a person returns to substance use after being sober for some time.
However, relapses are different than lapses. It’s only considered a relapse if the person is back to using substances at the same or close intensity as before they sought treatment. Otherwise, it will only be considered a lapse, where the person temporarily returned to substance abuse but eventually got back on his recovery goal.
Still, if lapses are not controlled right away, it can lead to a full relapse. This is why your loved one needs the most support and understanding when it happens.
While it’s important to understand what relapse is, you should also know what it is not.
Keep in mind that relapse is NOT the end of the person’s recovery journey. As a loved one supporting them, it’s normal to feel frustrated and angry, but you should understand that addiction is a mental, physical, and emotional struggle.
Try to remain calm, and don’t hesitate to reach out to experts like LA Wellness Home. Our licensed specialists can guide you and your loved ones on how to navigate and prevent relapse so that you can steer them back on the right course.
What triggers a person to relapse?
Relapse can be the result of various triggers and contributing factors. Here are some of the most common scenarios that increase a person’s risk of relapsing:
- Intense cravings. Even the most intensive alcohol rehab or drug rehab isn’t exempt from the distraction cravings could bring. Without the right intervention, a person may end up using substances again to appease their urges.
- Lack of motivation. In some cases, the person’s eagerness to seek substances is stronger than their willingness to quit. This will be difficult for them to stay sober, and some would end up being admitted to an inpatient rehab center involuntarily.
- Poor coping skills. A lack of healthy coping mechanisms makes people recovering from addiction susceptible to relapse. This is why, at LA Wellness Home, one of our main priorities is helping our clients develop positive coping skills to direct their energy into productive activities.
- Mental health disorders. Undiagnosed or unaddressed mental health disorders will make it impossible to achieve long-term sobriety. It’s best to seek help from a treatment center like us that offers dual diagnosis as part of the program.
- External factors. Lack of family support, social pressure, conflict with friends, and so on could push a person back to their old ways.
If someone you know is experiencing any of these relapse situations, you can contact our addiction treatment center for professional help.
How to help someone who relapsed
Knowing how to help an addict who relapsed doesn’t have to be a one-man struggle. Below are some of the tips our specialists recommend if your loved one needs extra support when they happen to relapse:
What to say to someone who relapsed
It’s not easy to know what to say to a fellow addict or loved one who is currently experiencing a relapse. After all, you’re probably struggling with your own disappointment and anger over the situation.
Still, proper communication remains the foundation of a successful addiction treatment. Here’s how you can start the conversation:
1. Start on a positive light
People who relapsed from addiction recovery often blame themselves for what happened. Reminding them about the time they decided to make a positive change in their life can be a good start.
For example, you can remind them about the time they decided to enroll in a rehab center or when the number of days they were sober. It’s also comforting to tell them that it’s human to fall out of good habits and that they can always restart anytime.
2. Voice out your concern
When thinking about how to talk to an addict who has relapsed, you should avoid stigmatizing their situation by making it look “dirty” or “shameful”.
Instead, express your feelings about their relapse and acknowledge that it’s also hard for them. At the same time, assure them that you can help them seek help again if they are willing to do so. You can also offer suggestions like undergoing medical detox or talking to a specialist.
3. Be a good listener
Some of those who have relapsed may feel like they are being ‘talked down’ whenever a loved one tries to communicate about their situation. So, instead of thinking about what to say when someone relapses, it’s best to be a good listener and let the person say what they have in mind.
You should create a safe space where the person will feel comfortable to talk and express themselves. In most cases, having the person who relapsed talk about the situation is already a huge step in bringing them back to recovery.
What to do when someone relapses
There’s no guidebook about what to do when a loved one relapses. Trying to push someone to go back to treatment may backfire and cause them to spiral deeper into addiction.
Instead, you can use what experts call the “stages of change theory” as a guide on how you can act when someone experiences a relapse. Here’s how these stages work:
Stage 1. Precontemplation
At this stage, your loved one doesn’t acknowledge that they have relapsed and has no intention to seek help. It’s the most challenging stage, and the best thing you can do is express your concern, love, and support.
Aside from that, you should be open to talking about the situation. Take note that pushing treatment options at this point is unlikely to help you or your loved one.
Stage 2. Contemplation
At this point, your loved one is already acknowledging that they have relapsed but isn’t committed to changing the situation. This is the perfect chance to talk to them about how confident you are that they can help themselves again and even outdo what they did before.
Aside from that, you can slowly discuss with them the benefits of re-enrolling in a Los Angeles rehab center. Again, assure them that you’ll be supporting them in the process, but be clear that you also set boundaries.
Stage 3. Preparation
During the preparation stage of change, your loved one is now making preparations to get back to recovery. They are now open to talking to a recovery coach or are already booking a consultation with a rehab center.
At this point, you can offer help in finding the best treatment programs, helping them sort out treatment financing, or arranging their transportation. Overall, you can offer anything that will bring them closer to the help they need.
Stage 4. Action
This is when your loved one is actively engaging in their treatment plan and restarting their road to recovery. It’s very important to give them moral support and assurance so they will achieve the last stage of change, which is maintenance.
For this, you can visit them in the inpatient facility regularly, provide them with their basic necessities, connect them with self-help groups, and more.
Let LA Wellness Home help you or a loved one get back on track.
While it can be frustrating when someone relapses, you should know that it’s never too late to help them retrace the right direction. Here at LA Wellness Home, we are always ready to provide guidance and professional relapse prevention plans, regardless of your background.
Our inpatient rehab in Los Angeles is open to anyone, regardless of where they are in their recovery or relapse. We have a licensed team of medical doctors, nurses, RADTs, LMFTs, and more who will serve as your support system without any judgment or blame.
So, if you or someone you love has relapsed, you can call us at LA Wellness Home to talk to one of our experts. Our helpline is open 24/7 whether you’re still looking for answers or if you’re ready to embrace change.
