Giving up alcohol is no easy feat. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and a real desire to face every challenge that comes your way. 

Statistics show that around 90% of people relapse at least once in their journey to recovery, and there is no shame in that. It is hard. 

So, if you’ve been to a private alcohol rehab and are struggling to stay on track or have relapsed, here are five top tips to address the situation and get back on track… 

Show self compassion

First and foremost, it’s important to be kind to yourself. There will always be setbacks in the battle against addiction and you are not the only person to experience this. It happens to the vast majority of people. 

But rather than feel guilt, shame or anger towards yourself, acknowledge the fact that setbacks do happen and the most important thing is how you respond to the setback. 

Seek out support

If you have been through rehab, then it’s very likely you will have a support network in place. You may have that through AA, other residents of rehab, or even friends and family. Many people look to hide their relapse due to shame, but the best thing you can do is reach out.

You’ll find that talking about it can provide invaluable guidance, particularly from people who have shared experiences and it will not only help you in learning how to cope with relapse, but also you’ll find compassion and encouragement from others too which can prove hugely motivational.

Reevaluate your treatment plan

Following a relapse it may be worth reviewing your treatment plan to uncover why relapse may have happened and how you can potentially improve your plan. 

Speak to your therapist or counsellor who will aid with exploring this and identify the triggers and future strategies for coping with them. It may be that you need further support from groups or even some outpatient care in the short term to achieve your goals. 

Practice mindfulness

Alongside showing self compassion, you should also practise mindfulness and prioritise self-care. As part of your treatment plan you may well already meditate or take up yoga for stress release and if they do typically work, continue to do those.

Either way, it’s important to engage in activities that do promote relaxation to help avoid situations where self-destruction could be triggered again. 

Create a relapse prevention plan

Finally, use your relapse as a learning curve and turn the experience into something that you can use. Creating a relapse prevention plan will allow you to further identify trigger points, whether that be certain situations or emotions, and adopt healthier ways of dealing with them. 

Review it regularly to reinforce your commitment to goals and turn what can be a really difficult experience into one that will make your sobriety stronger in the long run.

Relapsing from alcohol recovery can be a really difficult period, but you aren’t alone and millions of people have gone on to get back on track and be stronger the other side of it.