Exclusive Prescription Drug Addiction Relapse Prevention at our Treatment Center in California

Learn more about relapse prevention at Bayside Marin in California

As a major substance abused in California and the United States, overcoming a prescription drug addiction is an incredible feat. Because the grips of such a chemical dependency concern can be so powerful, celebrating such an accomplishment is completely appropriate. However, once the celebrating has come to a close, it is important for an individual to know that maintaining sobriety is something that must still be worked on each and every single day to avoid relapsing.

Failing to uphold one’s commitment to remaining sober can, unfortunately, result in a relapse. A relapse occurs when a person begins misusing prescription medications again, which could make it quite difficult to stick to one’s recovery goals in the future. However, if a person recommits him or herself to being sober with treatment & aftercare and puts forth the effort to prevent relapse going forward, the risk of becoming ensnared in the web of a prescription drug addiction can be drastically decreased.

Reasons why people relapse from prescription drugs

A relapse is something that can happen to even the strongest-willed individuals; it does not discriminate and is not something that only occurs shortly after treatment. For these reasons, and more, it is important to understand why and how a person can return to the use of substances even after completing a program to overcome an addiction to prescription drugs.

There are many reasons why a person would begin to misuse prescription medications once more. Among the many types of triggers, the following are the most common:

• Experiencing pain and feeling as though one needs a particular medication
• Enduring some sort of trauma or related stressor that may rationalize the use of a particular prescription drug
• Being in the company of individuals who are abusing prescription medications
• Finding oneself in a circumstance in which he or she is coerced to use prescription drugs
• Developing feelings of self-doubt, which could drive a person to abuse prescription medications in response

If you have completed treatment for a prescription drug addiction and have had any of the above occur in your life post-treatment, then you likely know how such circumstances can make one question the worthwhileness of being sober. What is important to know, however, is that experiencing a relapse does not have to be one’s destiny. It is possible to have your sobriety tested and come out the other side still sober and still on the healthy path of recovery.

How to prevent relapse at Bayside Marin Treatment Center in California

As it has been said, it is common to have one’s sobriety tested following the completion of a prescription drug addiction treatment program. Especially since it can be easy to acquire prescription medications, a person must work extra hard to stay on track with his or her recovery in order to remain sober. Additionally, it is also important to remember that feeling as if one is about to relapse, or if one has already relapsed, does not mean that that individual is not committed to remaining prescription drug-free.

In order to remain true to the goal of staying sober, many individuals find it helpful to do the following, all of which can be done before or after experiencing a relapse:

• Upon returning home from treatment, it is a good idea to share your experience with your loved ones and clue them into how you intend on remaining sober for the long-term.
• Keep in close contact with your sponsor. If, however, you do not have a sponsor, consider doing some research to learn how you can acquire one.
• Begin and/or remain engaged in your aftercare recommendations.
• If you were not provided with a discharge plan, it would be beneficial to reach out to knowledgeable professionals in your area who can help you determine and locate the resources and services that can help you remain sober from prescription medications.
• Become a member of a support group, as doing so can give you a sense of belonging and keep you connected with the recovery community & treatment center community.
• Stay on top of your coping skills. It can be easy let such skills lapse if they are not practiced, so it is a good idea to remain diligent in becoming an expert on handling the stressors in your life in the healthiest way possible.

Furthermore, it could be helpful to establish some sort of routine or daily schedule for yourself so that you are able to stay on track with your recovery. Especially for those who have recently completed treatment, filling one’s idle time with some sort of activity can prevent relapse. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it is imperative to always know that seeking more intensive and structured care is always an option. Just because you have completed treatment in the past, does not mean that you can no longer engage in such services. If, at any time, you feel as though a higher level of care will benefit you, call a treatment center and learn if you are once again appropriate for it.

At Bayside Marin Treatment Center, in California, we value and respect each person’s recovery journey. We, as a leading provider of prescription drug addiction treatment, aim to help each person who comes for care to develop the skills and strength needed to remain substance-free for the long-term. Therefore, if you would like to partner with us in your pursuits of becoming prescription medication-free, give us a call today. Our staff is happy to speak with you about our treatment options and how we can help you avoid relapse in the future.