Addiction is a serious issue that impacts countless individuals and families across the country. Fortunately, the attitude towards addiction and mental health issues is starting to see a shift. This has allowed countless people who are impacted by addiction to seek the help that they deserve. Once someone is able to achieve sobriety, this is an occasion that deserves to be celebrated. When it comes to an addiction to opioids, this is an impressive achievement. Sadly, a large percentage of people who achieve sobriety are going to suffer a relapse. The relapse rate during recovery may be as high as 60 percent. Before someone makes the decision to use opioids, there are a few thoughts that need to enter the head.
1. Why Do I Feel to Urge to Revert to Substance Abuse?
First, people need to ask why they are feeling the urge to use opioids once again. While a relapse after a period of sobriety is not uncommon, it is also important for people to know why they are doing this. During the road to recovery, one of the goals is to address the root cause of the reasons why someone decided to use opioids in the first place. Have these causes changed? Are the roots the same? Figuring out why someone is feeling the urge to use opioids again is an important part of avoiding a relapse. Even though relapse can impact more than half of all individuals in recovery, there are still steps people should take to stay sober.
2. What Was My Top Priority During Addiction Treatment?
Next, people need to ask themselves whether or not sobriety is really their top priority. Sure, there are lots of pulls on people’s time. This includes personal relationships, professional relationships, job obligations, and personal hobbies. On the other hand, unless someone gets clean for themselves, they are not going to be able to stay sober. Without a complete and total dedication to long-term sobriety, relapse is going to happen. This means that people need to be willing to put in the hard work. Is the hard work getting done? Are meetings being attended? Are sponsors being called? Or are counseling sessions being capped? This can help people stay sober and avoid relapse.
3. Where Is My Addiction Treatment Support System?
In addition, everyone needs to ask whether or not they have a strong support system. Addiction is a disease. It should be treated as such. At the same time, addiction can be beaten. In order for someone to overcome addiction and stay sober, a strong support system must be in place. Someone who has newly achieved sobriety needs to rely on the support network from day one. This can make a difference in helping someone stay sober or relapsing back into the claws and reaches of addiction. Anyone who is thinking about using opioids needs to reach out to the support system. This might include friends, family members, spiritual leaders, and support groups.
4. Why Did I Make the Decision to Quit Substance Abuse?
Next, people need to make sure that they are quitting for the right reasons. As mentioned above, everyone needs to make the decision to quit for themselves and their long-term well-being. Anyone who enters into treatment in order to make friends or family members happy is bound to fail. If they aren’t committed to themselves, they are not going to be able to commit to treatment. This is one of the biggest reasons why people think about using opioids again. Everyone needs to make sure they are quitting for the right reasons. This can have a long-term impact on someone’s overall health, well-being, and future desires. Remember, before making the decision to use again, the impact this is going to have on one’s own life.
5. Am I Ready?
Finally, before making the decision to use opioids, people need to think about all of the work they have done to get to this point. When someone achieves sobriety, they had put in a tremendous amount of work in order to get clean. All of this work has been done to rebuild a regular life and avoid a relapse. Is it really OK to destroy all of this work at the altar of opioids? Is it really OK to return to the world of social isolation and damaged personal relationships? Remember to think about this before making the decision to use opioids again.
Rely on the Professionals at Soba Recovery
At Soba Recovery, we are dedicated to helping everyone find the drug and alcohol addiction treatment they need. With locations in Mesa, AZ, and San Antonio, TX we provide detox and inpatient treatment for numerous types of addiction. If you would like to learn more about our services, please call us today to learn more!