Prescription Painkiller Addiction Relapse Prevention & Recovery Treatment Center

Understanding painkiller addiction & relapse prevention

Advances in modern medicine mean that patients now have more options for prescription drugs that can alleviate or reduce painful symptoms than ever before. And while these drugs can be helpful in improving the lives of the individuals who use them as directed, this increased availability has also opened the floodgates for prescription drug abuse. Powerful prescription drugs, especially those in the opioid class, often carry the negative side effects of highly addictive properties. All too often, an individual who innocently follows a doctor’s orders and fills a prescription is unknowingly at risk for developing a chemical dependence on prescription drugs.

For some, the habit-forming characteristics of many prescription drugs make ceasing use incredibly difficult, and soon he or she can develop a full-blown addiction to these substances. A prescription drug addiction will damage so many facets of a person’s life. Physical health and emotional wellbeing are compromised, while an addicted individual becomes unable to function at work, at school, or in relationships.

Once this downward spiral takes hold, many find that professional care at a painkiller addiction treatment center is necessary in order to achieve sobriety, and work toward substance-free living. For those men and women who make the brave choice to enter into a program of recovery for prescription drug abuse, successfully completing a stay in a residential treatment center is an accomplishment worthy of congratulations and celebration. Achieving sobriety is no small feat, but many challenges to maintaining recovered remain as an individual plans to exit treatment and return home. For this reason, comprehensive aftercare planning should be prioritized for all individuals as they are discharged from treatment to prevent relapsing into painkiller addiction.

Reasons why people relapse from painkiller addiction

A relapse occurs when a person who has achieved sobriety subsequently returns to using illicit substances. Those outside the recovery community, who have no personal experience with addiction may misunderstand relapse as an indicator of weakness, or a lack of true commitment to maintaining recovery and living a drug-free life. On the contrary, relapse is a common part of the recovery journey, and it does not signal the end of recovery. Individuals relapse for a variety of reasons after exiting an addiction treatment center for painkillers, but there are some common scenarios that may serve to compromise one’s sobriety. The following briefly describes some of these situations:

• Unexpected or acute stress or trauma
• Faltering in one’s resolve to maintain sobriety, questioning if sustained sobriety is even possible
• Feeling alone or isolated
• Untreated symptoms of co-occurring mental illness
• Entering situations that have caused one to use in the past
• Pressure from individuals who are still using, and who do not support healthy choices

Upon leaving a residential treatment center for painkiller abuse, the risk of relapse is very real, but can fortunately be prevented with the proper supports in place. By identifying an individual’s unique challenges, triggers, and strengths during the aftercare planning process, he or she will be well-equipped to maintain the sobriety he or she has worked so hard to achieve while in treatment and continue to live a life in recovery.

How to prevent painkiller relapse at our treatment center in Riverside, CA

Anyone who suffers from an addiction, and then works to achieve sobriety will tell you that recovery is a lifelong process that does not end as one is discharged from a painkiller addiction treatment center. But with a thorough aftercare plan in place, individuals will have a guide to the supports they require once they exit residential care. The following describes just a few of the many tools that could be helpful to include in an aftercare plan to prevent relapse:

• Surround yourself with the support of trusted friends and loved ones who you can turn to and who will listen should temptation to relapse into painkiller abuse
• Be sure you thoroughly understand your aftercare plan prior to leaving treatment, and ask questions if anything is unclear.
• Make practicing coping skills and self-soothing behaviors a daily practice in your recovery journey.
• Prioritize your physical health and wellbeing.
• Avoid places and situations that have prompted you to use in the past, or who you can anticipate causing unnecessary stress.
• Surround yourself only with people who are also choosing to live a recovered, drug-free life, and avoid those who may seek to compromise your sobriety.
• Create a schedule for each day and stick to it. Having a structured life will help keep you on track.
• If you were not provided with an aftercare plan upon leaving treatment, take the initiative to seek out the supports you require.
• If you are feeling strong cravings and the temptation is beginning to threaten your resolve, re-enroll in treatment if you need a more intensive level of care to maintain sobriety.

While the risk of relapse can weigh heavily on the minds of the men and women battling an addiction, help is available. To learn more about relapse prevention and individualized treatment planning for overcoming an addiction to prescription drugs at Sunrise Recovery Ranch located in Riverside, California, please contact us today. Our team of addiction professional is ready and able to help you achieve recovery from prescription drugs and avoid relapse after leaving our comprehensive care.