Gambling is a high-risk activity that people in recovery from addiction to crack should always avoid. Moving on after a relapse can seem daunting, but there are ways to rethink what relapse means, why it occurs, and what you can do to avoid it in the future. Referring to your recovery plan often and making changes as necessary with the help of your caregivers and support system can help you stay the course. While withdrawal symptoms from cocaine tend to last only seven to 10 days, cravings can persist for years. These cravings can develop suddenly and may catch you off guard, making them difficult to manage.
Establish self-care strategies
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other forms of counseling can provide you with the tools to manage cravings and avoid triggers.
- The goal is to help individuals move from denied users to non-users.
- For instance, you should stay away from friends who use cocaine or places where you used to use cocaine.
- But don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you’ve failed or that relapse somehow deletes your progress in treatment and recovery.
Once you’re in recovery, you can think about your future with a clear head and set some goals for yourself, whether personal, occupational, or otherwise. You can improve your relationships with others and yourself and take some time to allow your body and mind to recover. Cocaine withdrawal can sometimes have severe symptoms, but many detox programs exist to help you through it. Remembering the reasons someone has for quitting alcohol or substance use may help them stick to their recovery plan, particularly when they are experiencing an urge to reuse. However, a person should note that occasional thoughts of using or cravings are a typical part of recovery. They should not have unrealistic expectations, which may involve never thinking about using substances again.
Cocaine Cravings: What They Are and How to Find Help
They must also overcome the guilt and negative self-labeling that evolved during addiction. Clients sometimes think that they have been so damaged by their addiction that they cannot experience joy, feel confident, or have healthy relationships 9. A relapse (“lapse,” “slip,” “setback”) is one of the most frustrating, humiliating experiences you can face in recovery from any problem habit. It leaves you feeling guilty, ashamed and tempted to throw in the towel and just keep acting out on the addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40 to 60 percent of people who go through addiction treatment programs go on to slip at least once.
Step 3: Think About What Led to the Physical Relapse
Take an honest account of what happened before and during your relapse – remember, relapse happens before you pick up. Trace your steps and consider what you can change and prevent in the future. You can take a few steps to get back on track, recalibrate, prepare for the future, and get back to living a healthy life in sobriety. Investigating what led to your relapse and focusing on what you can change can stop the cycle. Instead, try a more adaptive strategy and find new supports that protect you mentally, emotionally, and physically. Be open to making changes as you learn more about yourself and your needs.
And then one night, a coworker asks you to grab a drink after work. That’s the last thing you remember when you wake up in the hospital the next morning. These symptoms can be particularly challenging, but you don’t have to go through them alone. Support from friends, family, and professionals can be invaluable. During this phase, a person may not be thinking about using, but they may experience thoughts and behaviors that ultimately lead them toward reuse. Isolation can be a significant trigger for relapse, and it’s incredibly important not to go through this time alone.
The path to recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s as unique as the individuals who walk it. From specialized treatment centers to medication-assisted programs and meditation therapy, a variety of options can help you achieve and maintain a drug-free life. Let’s explore these treatment options in greater detail to help you make an informed decision on your recovery journey.
Denied users will not or cannot fully acknowledge the extent of their addiction. Denied users invariably make a secret deal with themselves that at some point they will try using again. Important milestones such as recovery anniversaries are often seen as reasons to use. Alternatively, once a milestone is reached, individuals feel they have recovered enough that they can determine when and how to use safely. It is remarkable how many people have relapsed this way 5, 10, or 15 years after recovery. A missing piece of the puzzle for many clients is understanding the difference between selfishness and self-care.
- They are caused by insufficient coping skills and/or inadequate planning, which are issues that can be fixed 8.
- Clinical experience has shown that addicted individuals typically take less than they need, and, as a result, they become exhausted or resentful and turn to their addiction to relax or escape.
- Self-compassion is key here, as it paves the way for constructive actions rather than destructive self-criticism.
Getting an outside perspective can help you to put your relapse episode in context and reframe relapse with a professional perspective on what happened and how you can do better. Therapists and counselors are what to do after a relapse acutely aware of relapse’s effects on the body and mind. They have specialized training to help people recover from these episodes and return to recovery.