Rebuilding Self Esteem After Addiction Relapse

Relapse Prevention: Rebuilding Self Esteem After Addiction Relapse

Relapse

Firstly, it is important to understand the disease of addiction; it is a relapsing one and having a relapse doesn’t mean that all of your progress has been lost. In fact, many now-sober addicts relapsed multiple times before finally gaining full control over their mental disorder.

Treatment for addiction works the same as many other incurable diseases; symptoms are minimal during treatment and return once treatment stops. Treatment in this sense includes the things that a person needs to do to manage their addiction, such as going to support groups and rebuilding self esteem after addiction.

Rebuilding Self Esteem after Addiction or Relapse

If you have recently relapsed or are just coming out of rehab, then there are several things that can help you in rebuilding self esteem after addiction or relapse. The following will explore some of the tips that can help to build your self esteem.

• Address important responsibilities: After a person relapsed or comes out of a rehab center having put their life on hold, there are many responsibilities to take care of. There may be school work that you missed or work that you need to complete. Check to make sure that all of your bills are paid and then do things around the house such as laundry. When the important things in your life are in order, it will help you to feel more confident in your everyday life.
• Make amends: During a person’s addiction or during a relapse, it’s easy for an addict to say and do hurtful things to the people they love. Take responsibility for your actions and make amends with those that you hurt. However, you should wait before making amends with a person if it will cause them pain.
• Self forgiveness in addiction recovery: Just as you ask for forgiveness from others you may have hurt, self forgiveness in addiction recovery is as important too. Being too hard on yourself can be the paving on the road to relapse. Forgiving yourself may also make it easier to be forgiven by others.
• Establish a relapse prevention plan: If you are just coming out of rehab, then you need to make a relapse prevention plan. In essence, it is the way that you will respond to triggers and even relapse. It also includes going to meetings and avoiding certain people or places. For a person who has relapsed, they must either make an easier-to-follow plan if they stopped following their last plan or they need to create a new more conclusive plan that will work for them.
• Reach out to someone: Early recovery is not the time to go it alone. You would have built up a support network through the rehab, which includes support groups. Ask them for help because you are not alone in your struggles. If you have relapsed recently and want to get back on track, then asking for help will assist with your self esteem in recovery. You can find help to improve your self-esteem in recovery by going to support group meetings, seeing a therapist, religious leaders and from those in your life who are close to you.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, get help right away. Make a phone call that will connect you to a professional drug treatment center. The call you make may save your life or the life of someone you love. Call us today at (800) 429-7690.