Long-Term Substance Abuse Recovery

Substance abuse recovery can be a difficult and drawn-out process. There are thousands of people in long-term remission from substance use, even though much of the literature focuses on early recovery, a fragile and crucial time. Long-term recovery issues are just as crucial to our development, preventing relapses, and maintaining our health.

When a person has stopped using substances altogether or in moderation for at least five years, they are said to be in long-term recovery or remission. The initial stages of crisis stabilization are over, the harm caused by drug use is being repaired, and normal life is being established.

By the time we enter long-term recovery, the crucial problems of early recovery – staying sober, locating secure housing and employment, dealing with repercussions, and making new, sober friends – often seem more manageable.

A lot of us believe we are safe at this point. We can start to trust ourselves once more and exhale a little easier. But we must avoid thinking that the process of recovery is over. We’re raising our risk of relapse by acting with this delusion of complacency.

In actuality, long-term recovery presents a unique set of challenges. To improve our chances of long-term success, we must continue to pay close attention to our personal development. Either self-study or working with a counselor can be used to accomplish this. The following four suggestions will help you achieve long-term recovery.

Four keys to long-term substance abuse recovery

1. Skills for healthy relationships. Finding and sustaining healthy relationships is a challenge for many people who use drugs or alcohol. We must develop the ability to maintain healthy relationships because interpersonal conflicts can have disastrous effects on every aspect of our lives. Developing healthy interpersonal skills is crucial for continued success in recovery, stress management, and general health, regardless of whether our struggles are caused by developmental trauma, unhealthy family relationships, or previous hurt or abuse.

Interpersonal issues that frequently arise during early recovery should get better as our lives and emotions get better. Intimate relationships, however, can still be challenging at best. If so, it’s critical to work on developing values, beliefs, and routines that promote wholesome, harmonious relationships.

2. Integration of identity.

A dichotomous personality is a problem for many of us who have had substance abuse problems in the past. The person we were when we were using and the person we are now feel like they coexist inside of us. Both the angel and the devil who are perched on each of our shoulders make an effort to sway us in their direction.

Early on in recovery, it’s common to want to suppress our darker selves. We are afraid of the other person living inside of us and the harm they can do. We must eventually reconcile these two opposites. To become a complete human being, we must come to terms with the person we were when we were using.

3. Facing the debris of the past.

One of the components of substance use is poor decisions. These choices can be anything from shameful to illegal. Early recovery is the time to start repairing the harm done, whether that means serving out jail time and probation, making amends to loved ones, or repairing a bad reputation.

However, the effects of our past can linger for years after we have recovered, particularly if our drug issues involved the legal system. If handled improperly, this can be a significant source of shame, stress, and embarrassment and can undermine an otherwise effective recovery program.

4. A healthy, balanced life.

Stopping problematic substance use does not guarantee a healthy, happy life, as many people in recovery are aware. As we get used to managing stress while sober, the beginning can be worse than ever. We need to work on our physical, emotional, spiritual, and social health because we are frequently unhealthy people overall, not just in our interactions with drugs or alcohol.

What is a relapse into substance use?

Relapse occurs when a condition’s symptoms return. This can occur without any warning. For instance, therapy or medication may provide relief for a depressed person. But after a few months of therapy, they might start exhibiting symptoms once more.

Any medical condition that recurs can be referred to as a relapse. Its most typical application relates to the recurrence of addiction symptoms. These come back after a period of abstinence. After going weeks, months, or even years without using alcohol, a person in recovery from alcoholism may start drinking again. Or a compulsive gambler may stop playing only to pick it back up later.

What causes a relapse?

Sometimes, medical conditions get better before suddenly getting worse. Once symptoms disappear, some patients stop receiving medical care. This might lead to relapse. Relapse can be a part of the addiction recovery process for those who struggle with addictions. Many addicts experience multiple relapses before achieving long-term sobriety.

Relapse, according to some addiction specialists, facilitates recovery. It might achieve this by educating an addict on the warning signs of a potential relapse. Each attempt at sobriety can help them get better.

Numerous physical and emotional signs can serve as relapse warning signs. These indicate the possibility of a relapse. People with addictions may relapse in certain circumstances, such as:

• Stressful times
• In situations that set off their addiction
• Not finishing their rehabilitation program

For instance, an alcoholic may have a history of binge drinking at gatherings. After several parties, they may be more likely to relapse.

There is a significant chemical component to relapse. An addictive substance may take weeks to completely leave the body. Even after the addictive substance has left the body, the brain may still be particularly vulnerable to it. This is why the majority of addiction specialists advise those who are addicted never to use the substance again.

Relapse usually indicates that the addiction has returned. It may imply that the addict must go through the psychological distress and withdrawal process once more.

Avoiding relapse into substance abuse.

Addicts are susceptible to relapse. They have not failed, despite this. Before achieving recovery, relapse may happen frequently. People might take precautions to prevent relapse or lessen its effects. People can take the following actions to avoid relapsing in addition to recognizing the relapse warning signs:

• Continue receiving treatment for as long as your healthcare provider advises.
• Avoid people, places, and things that can trigger addiction.
• Join a support group for addiction recovery.
• Hone your skills for managing stress.
• Use relaxation methods such as yoga or meditation.
• Visit a therapist regularly.

Long-term recovery relies on creating and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle. This can involve activities like physical activity, mindfulness meditation, forging new connections, adopting a healthier diet, or altering thought patterns.

Individual and group therapy may be able to stop relapses. Addicts may find it helpful to see a therapist who uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This kind of therapy demonstrates the connection between ideas and deeds. It might aid people in coping with life stressors that might trigger relapses.

Part of the substance abuse recovery journey.

Although remission is a fantastic accomplishment, it is not a fix-all for all of our problems. In fact, during this phase of the journey, we move on to new problems that need to be solved, such as building wholesome relationships, integrating our dual identities, resolving our tumultuous pasts, and creating balanced lives.

Long-term recovery is a great time to assess your progress and set new objectives for your professional and personal growth. Recovery is like climbing an escalator up the down side; either you’re going forward or you’re going backward. It’s important to keep going!

The counselors in at Texas Christian Counseling can help you move forward on your journey to long-term substance abuse recovery. Call us today to set up an appointment.