It’s estimated that between 40 and 60 percent of all people who go through substance abuse recovery will relapse at one point in their lives.[1] Relapse can happen for several reasons, so it’s essential to recognize the warning signs. We’ve outlined what can cause relapse for young adults and tips to get back on track to overcome these setbacks.
What Causes Young Adults to Relapse During Recovery?
Here are several of the most common reasons why young people relapse during recovery:
Being in Situations Where Substances Are Available
Being around places where substances are available, and people who are using substances can lead to relapse. Young people may face peer pressure to return to their old habits in these situations. Research shows that peer pressure is among one of the top reasons for drug use and relapse.[2]
Stress Being A Cause for Relapse for Young Adults
Stress can be a major cause of relapse for young adults. Stress from school, home, and relationships may tempt young adults to use substances to temporarily escape their feelings. Rather than revert to old habits, utilizing other coping strategies to handle stress is best.
Mental and Physical Pain
It is well-known that many people who are battling a substance use disorder are also dealing with mental health issues.[3] If a young adult is feeling depressed or anxious, they may turn to drugs and alcohol. The same is true if they are experiencing any type of physical pain. They may look to use a substance again to forget about their physical and emotional pain for a while.
Boredom
Some teens and young adults relapse because of boredom. Not knowing what to do with their newly found free time can lead some down a dangerous path. Finding new hobbies to occupy your time can be the best way to beat boredom and meet new people.
Isolation
Many young adults have to leave friends associated with their addiction when they enter a treatment program. This can make them feel isolated and alone and may lead to relapse. Making new friends and attending support groups can help to prevent these feelings and, as a result, prevent relapse.
Warning Signs of Relapse for Young Adults
For many young adults, relapse does not happen overnight. Many warning signs indicate that relapse is possible. This includes:
- Poor Self-Care
- Missing Group Support Meetings
- Lying
- Craving Drugs/Alcohol
- Isolation
Any of these signs can indicate that someone may be thinking of using substances again. If you notice any of these signs in a loved one during recovery, getting them the help they need to get back on track is essential.
How to Get Back on Track After Relapse for Young Adults
Celebrate Your Progress
Don’t let relapse define who you are or the progress you’ve made in your recovery. One of the most important ways young adults can get back on track after relapse is to not beat themselves up about what happened. Realize that everyone makes mistakes. Forgiving yourself and realizing the need to stay sober can begin the process of getting back on track after a relapse. Celebrating the progress made thus far and building on that is essential to move forward.
Recognize Triggers
Knowing what can trigger substance use can make it easier to handle triggers when you are faced with them. Many people are unaware of triggers and may feel weak when confronted. Make a list so that you can clearly see the people and places that can threaten your sobriety again. Use coping skills learned in treatment programs to steer clear of these triggers and stay strong. This can include finding a new hobby, exercising, journaling, or meditating.
Pinpoint Relapse Reasons
It’s crucial to pinpoint the exact reasons for relapse for young adults. Was it too much stress? Were you around people using substances? Were you in pain? Knowing exactly what caused a relapse or what combination of factors will allow you to avoid them if they threaten your sobriety again.
Seek Support
One of the best ways to get back on track after relapsing is to seek support. Attend a group meeting or ask to meet with a therapist so that you can talk about what happened. Many young people find comfort in peer support groups because they can listen to others with similar experiences. Meeting with a therapist can also be beneficial to get unbiased guidance about the next steps to take. Talking to a trusted friend or family member can also provide support in an uncertain time.
Revisit Your Goals
Re-focusing on your goals can help you get back on track after a relapse. Knowing what you want to accomplish can help you do what you need to achieve your goals. This can provide the necessary motivation to avoid future relapses as you focus on what will help you become successful.
Maintain Healthy Habits to Avoid Relapse for Young Adults
Making self-care a priority and practicing healthy habits can help you get back on track after relapse. When you feel good about yourself, you’ll be less likely to want to harm your body by reverting to drug and alcohol use. Be sure to get enough sleep, exercise, and eat healthy. By fueling your body, you will begin to feel stronger once again and ready to battle any threats to your sobriety.
Contact Ember Recovery Today to Learn More About Addiction Treatment Programs
The Ember Recovery team has helped thousands of teens and young adults in Iowa get sober. Our treatment programs focus on the needs of these demographics so that we can provide the specialized care they need.
Our treatment programs include a variety of therapies and other methods to help teens and young adults understand their addiction. We also provide aftercare planning to give teens and young adults the best chances of success. In addition to initial treatment, we can also provide the necessary help to get back on the sober path following relapse.
Contact us today to learn more about our various drug and alcohol treatment programs.
Sources:
[1] https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/addiction-what-to-know-about-relapse [2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4539968/ [3] https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/mental-health-substance-use-co-occurring-disorders
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.