Because of the stay-at-home orders that are in place for COVID-19, the social isolation, anxiety of job loss, and fear of the virus, the potential for relapse has greatly increased. If you are in recovery during this time, you still don’t have to face it alone.
If you do relapse, you have OARS, supports, family, and friends on your side. Without shame or judgement.
Dr. Negrini wants you to remember that, “recovery is a process. When you hit a few road bumps, you’ll have help that will keep you safe.”
If you do relapse during your recovery, here’s what you should do:
Don’t give up. Relapsing can leave you feeling a variety of negative emotions. Despite this, now is not the time to throw in the towel or give up on your sobriety journey. Recommit yourself to your sobriety and get yourself back on track.
Reflect. In order to know where you’re going, you have to understand where you’ve been. Take some time to reflect on what led you to relapse. Once you have a better idea of why it happened, you can take actionable steps to prevent it from happening again.
Connect. Whether it’s with loved ones, your therapist, your sponsor, or your providers at OARS, use your support system as a resource to help you get back on track. Your supports are here for you through every step of your recovery journey, even during the times when you slip.
Get treatment. Returning to a safe and controlled environment, such as OARS, will go a long way toward your sobriety instead of feeling like you have to face this on your own. Through treatment, your provider will work side-by-side with you to help you continue down the path to an addiction-free life.
A relapse does not mean the end of your recovery. Recovery is still possible and OARS will continue to be your safe place, even during the times when you slip.