Relapse Prevention Programs in Cape May County, NJ

So, the initial stages of treatment for your condition are coming to a close. Where do you go from here? Are you fully prepared to get back into the routines of daily life? Maybe you feel anxious about your new drug-free lifestyle, and have questions about how you will maintain your motivation to stay sober. At Cape May County Drug Treatment Centers, we are accustomed to guiding addicts through this period of doubt and insecurity. We believe that leaving rehab shouldn’t mean that treatment comes to an end; after all, your recovery has really just begun. This is why we consider relapse prevention programs such a vital part of treatment plans.

What Exactly Are Relapse Prevention Programs?

Relapse prevention programs are a set of goals and plans that revolve around ongoing treatment, relapse contingency, and building healthy relationships. They aren’t pulled from a textbook or derived from a particular formula; they are highly personalized strategies for staying sober and motivated in recovery, developed by individuals in treatment alongside their health care providers, therapists, and family members or friends. Consider the following characteristics of relapse prevention programs:

Ongoing Treatment

While treatment for addiction almost always begins with detox and a rehabilitation phase that can last for weeks or months, it doesn’t end there. Addiction, after all, is a chronic and as-of-now incurable condition, and as such should be subject to constant monitoring and regular treatment in order to be kept under control. Becoming apathetic with regard to treatment is often the beginning of a slippery slope that leads to relapse. Ongoing treatment often takes various forms and occurs in different settings. It may consist of family counseling, participation in peer support groups, vocational guidance, legal assistance, or medical care. In many cases, a combination of these provides the greatest benefit. As a whole, these treatments focus on helping individuals stay motivated, effectively manage stress, and identify new avenues for self-improvement.

Relapse Contingency

Unfortunately, there’s no getting around the fact that addiction is a disease that’s prone to relapse. Even the best relapse prevention programs can’t guarantee that an individual will remain sober forever. Instead of taking that chance, it’s beneficial to plan ahead for all possible outcomes. Individuals should have a plan ready and waiting to be implemented in the event that relapse should occur. Dealing with relapse as quickly and effectively as possible leads to minimal interruption of daily life, and can play a role in preventing further episodes of relapse down the road.

Building Relationships

Healthy relationship-building is an extremely important aspect of all relapse prevention programs. A newly sober lifestyle is accompanied by a whole new set of challenges for individuals in recovery, and can be difficult, disorienting, and frustrating. While attempting to handle recovery alone speak to an individual’s courage, evidence indicates that recovery will be much more successful if they rely on a network of knowledgeable and empathetic supporters. These often take the form of family members, mentors, medical care providers, and therapists.

Let Cape May County Drug Treatment Centers be your primary recovery resource. Just call us today at (609) 756-3686.