American musician Steven Adler once said, “Part of recovery is relapse. I dust myself off and move forward again.”
For many in recovery, relapse is an occurrence that, while painful, serves as a learning experience and provides clues that are needed to move forward. Relapse is typically defined as a temporary recurrence of a past condition – some people may call this a “slip”. Whilst in recovery, many individuals work with their healthcare team to identify triggers – or specific ticks that could lead someone closer to relapsing – in an order to prevent them. This is one major component of relapse prevention, but another component involves the general risks that automatically place a person at higher risk for relapsing in the first place. By understanding both sides, you are more likely to have an idea of what you’re working with in terms of risk for relapse and prevention.
A 2017 study published in the Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences sought to explore predictors of substance abuse relapse. One hundred and forty-eight patients completed the study, and researchers analyzed their data to find the following predictors of relapse:
- Self-employment
- Higher treatment costs
- Previous treatment history (most important predictor)
- Medication that isn’t working for them
- Lack of medical therapy under physician supervision
All of these factors were shown to increase a person’s likelihood of slipping within the first 6 months of treatment. If you have a history of failed treatment, it’s important that you really take a close look at patterns. What has happened each time that has led to your relapse? How much support have you had? What changes have been made? Working with a reputable treatment center can also have a considerable influence on the type of care you receive.
Tree House Recovery is a men’s treatment program located in Portland, Oregon. Creating sustainable recovery through sustainable change, our programs help men learn how to live sober with adventurous lives. Call us today for information: (503) 850-2474
