Many people don’t like hearing this but, relapse is part of an individual’s recovery journey. It is important to mention that a good number of people relapse a number of times before they achieve lifelong sobriety.
When people relapse, it is not entirely their fault. It could be due to some factors that were either not considered or beyond their control.
Addiction is a chronic disease that needs deliberate and constant management to keep at bay. Once you are entwined in addiction, you need proper and ongoing checks to treat it and remain sober.
If you want to know why people relapse, here are some reasons to check out:
- Lack of coping skills
Coping skills are strategies that recovering addicts learn to manage triggers when they show up. Usually, an individual learns these skills during addiction treatment so that when they are back to their normal lives, they will be able to handle these triggers.
However, not everyone can implement these coping skills, which makes them relapse eventually. Lack of knowledge of these coping skills positions recovering individuals for relapse in no time.
- People triggers
You might be unaware that people can trigger your addiction. The activities of the friends you keep determine to a great extent, the possibility of a relapse.
If you have friends whose lifestyle encourages addiction, there is a chance that you will be drawn back into your addiction.
Therefore, you need to be careful of the type of friends you keep. It is preferred to keep friends that motivate you to remain sober.
- Stress
People who cannot manage their stress levels are likely to relapse even after addiction recovery. It is important to always look out for your stress levels as you get back into your normal life. You will feel energetic and motivated to do almost anything when you are sober, but you have to tread with caution.
- Deplorable self-care
An essential and underrated aspect of addiction recovery is self-care. With proper self-care habits like a good diet, balanced sleep hygiene, exercise, and the likes, you can remain sober all through your life.