Relapse Prevention

Relapse means returning to drug or alcohol use after a period of abstinence. Some people view relapse as a failure, but it's actually a very common part of the recovery process. Addiction is a chronic medical condition, and like other health conditions, setbacks can happen even after long periods of stability in treatment.

Understanding the stages of a return to use can help you recognize warning signs early:

A single episode of use doesn’t mean starting over. If you return to use, reaching out for help right away can get you back on track. BrightView offers compassionate and quick re-entry into care to help you continue your recovery.

BrightView’s relapse prevention programs are designed to help you stay on track as you return to daily life after treatment. These programs include one-on-one counseling, group therapy, and social support services.

Our addiction recovery programs use the latest evidence-based relapse prevention strategies. They aim to:

Anyone in recovery can benefit from a relapse prevention program. Have questions? Schedule a callback so a member of our team can contact you. Or, find a BrightView location near you and reach out. We also accept walk-ins on weekdays.

So, what will you actually do while completing one of our relapse prevention programs? Here's a closer look at the kind of support we offer for sustained recovery.

Throughout treatment, you'll have one-on-one counseling sessions with a therapist. You'll learn and practice strategies for dealing with stress, triggers, and high-risk situations. Tools like evidence-based therapies can help you reframe negative thoughts, develop coping skills, and manage cravings during recovery.

Group therapy sessions create accountability and build your support network. You'll form relationships with people who are on the recovery journey with you and understand what you're going through.

Group-based education also helps prevent relapse. You'll learn about the science behind addiction, build key relapse prevention skills, and make deliberate lifestyle changes that make it easier to stay on track.

We may prescribe medication as part of your relapse prevention plan. Medication assisted treatment can play an important role in early and long-term recovery. It helps balance brain chemistry, reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and lower the risk of overdose.

MAT may or may not be right for you depending on your situation and the substances you use. It’s one of several tools we use to support lasting recovery, along with approaches like motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based relapse prevention, recovery and skill building education, and behavioral therapies. Our team will help you find a recovery solution based on your needs. Schedule your visit or call us at 888.501.9865 to set up an appointment.

Another key aspect of relapse prevention is practical support. Our social support team can help you find housing, employment, legal aid, insurance, and other essential treatment and recovery resources.

Whether you're struggling with alcohol dependence or experiencing an initial relapse with opioids or other substances, BrightView is here to help you move forward in your recovery.

Every person in recovery deserves a personalized relapse prevention plan. At BrightView, we work with you to identify your key risks of relapse and develop an action plan to follow when you need support.

Everyone has different personal triggers and high-risk situations. By identifying when and where you're likeliest to relapse, we can help you prepare ahead of time for those situations.

For example, there are likely certain people or places connected to past substance use. You might be at a higher risk of relapse in stressful situations at work, in relationships, or during financial stress. Emotional triggers could include anger, loneliness, and boredom. Even positive events can be triggers, like celebrations and social events where drugs or alcohol are present.

You'll work with your care team to create healthy coping skills to prevent relapse. These might include:

• Healthier outlets like exercise, journaling, and mindfulness practices
• Relaxation tools like deep breathing and grounding techniques
• Positive distractions like music, hobbies, and volunteering
• A social support list of friends, family members, and peer recovery allies you can reach out to when cravings hit

It's also important to recognize the early warning signs of relapse. We teach you how to watch for:

• Cravings or “just one time” thinking
• Skipping appointments, meetings, or healthy routines
• Increased stress, anxiety, or depression
• Isolating from friends, family, or support groups
• Minimizing past use or glorifying memories of active use
• Poor self-care (sleeping too much or too little, neglecting meals, lack of exercise)

If you're experiencing some of these things, it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to relapse. But it does create conditions where relapse is more likely. You need to be ready to take action early.

Cravings and withdrawal symptoms can come up suddenly. It's important to have a list of steps to avoid relapse. This list may include:

• Reaching out right away by calling your sponsor, counselor, or BrightView care team
• Re-engaging with treatment by scheduling a same-day appointment or joining a group session
• Using a crisis resource by calling 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), 911 in an emergency, or visiting a local hospital/emergency service
• Giving yourself grace by remembering that relapse is not failure: it’s a signal that you need more support