Returning to a behavior you’ve worked to stop, like drinking, using, or gambling, is often called a relapse, and it can feel devastating in the worst of cases and defeating in the best. Still, relapsing may look different for everyone. For some, it’s one rough night that won’t be repeated. For others, relapse is one long stretch of old habits resurfacing over time until the substance that you got help for finally reenters the picture. But remember: What matters is how you respond after it happens.
Understanding the reality of relapse can also be helpful for navigating it:
- Statistically speaking, people who try to change a health-related behavior, like substance use or gambling, will experience some kind of relapse.
- Whether the setback happens days after you begin or after months of progress, relapse signals that some aspect of your recovery might be overlooked, not that everything is lost.
- Going through the recovery process more than once can often be necessary, and that repetition doesn’t mean you’re a lost cause.
With reflection, learning, and support, each attempt at living a substance-free lifestyle brings new insights and better tools. This blog provides clarity on how relapse fits into long-term change and offers clear next steps for moving forward again.
What It Means to Thrive in Recovery
Thriving in recovery extends beyond simply avoiding harmful behavior or staying off all substances. It involves growing toward goals that matter to you and building emotional strength and resilience as you progress.
Here are some of the benefits:
- A thriving mindset carries you beyond survival.
- You’re better poised to build habits and relationships that support healing in recovery.
- When you aim to thrive in recovery, you learn healthier, more sustainable methods of handling stress and cultivate a deeper sense of purpose that carries you further during stressful periods or crisis moments.
One study involving over 400 people at different recovery stages found that thriving helped predict who stayed on track more than how long someone had been sober, accounting for 55% of the difference in relapse risk. But more extended periods of utilizing recovery services also positively contributed to the participants’ experiences, even more so than simply taking a thriving approach.
Essentially, taking care of your emotional and spiritual well-being makes relapse less likely, and committing to (or recommitting to) thriving leads to a more sustainable recovery experience.
Steps to Take After Relapse in Pennsylvania
Relapse often unfolds in stages, not overnight. Whether you caught it early or it’s already taken a toll, the path forward starts with small, intentional steps that we can help you take in Port Matilda.
Enroll in Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Wexford
Structure and support can be essential after a setback. Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP) at St. Joseph Institute in Wexford gives you the ability to live at home while attending regular therapy sessions. This approach can help you establish a new routine, stay accountable in group meetings, and work through challenges with the guidance of trained professionals.
Get Back to Therapy
Therapy gives you a space to talk through what happened and understand the emotions or stressors behind your relapse. At St. Joseph Institute, you can access both individual and group counseling. We’re here to provide whatever works best to help you reconnect with your goals and rebuild your confidence.
Redefine Your Goals
Every relapse experience can offer new insights and information regarding your progress and needs. Take time to reflect, forgive yourself, and think about what you’d like to do differently. Then, be honest and take initiative to make changes.
When you’re ready, a recovery specialist at St. Joseph Institute can help you tailor a revamped treatment plan that builds on what you’ve learned but also places relapse prevention at its center.
Your updated treatment plan could include:
- Avoiding high-risk people, places, or events
- Tools for staying substance-free during big changes
- Practicing daily mindfulness or stress reduction
- Rebuilding a support network
- Creating a flexible but steady daily routine
Find Support During Relapse With St. Joseph Institute
Relapse is painful for everyone involved, and we never want to minimize that. However, recovery is still possible, with each day presenting a new opportunity to choose a new path forward. When you choose St. Joseph Institute to support you through a relapse and its aftermath, we’ll do everything in our power to empower you. We’re simply proud of you for trying.
If you feel yourself slipping or if someone you love is struggling, please don’t hesitate to contact us for help. We know you’ll be able to forward again with care, dignity, and hope—so many have before you and will do so after you.
