With warmer weather here, the outdoors social scene is heating up. Parties, cookouts, and beach trips can all be fun ways to unwind. Unfortunately, these and other spring and summer activities may expose a recovering alcoholic to temptation. One of the important skills you’ll develop in an alcohol treatment program is identifying relapse triggers and how to cope with temptation. We have some suggestions that can help you fight the urge to relapse while still allowing yourself to have fun in the sun.

Caution is Key in Alcohol Relapse Prevention

The longer you go without alcohol, the less likely you are to relapse. In the early months and years of recovery, every sober step you take greatly increases your chances of success. During this time frame, it’s best to avoid scenes and situations that may tempt you. Make sure you stick to your prescribed treatment plan and don’t use the increased spring and summer activity list to derail any therapy sessions or meetings. Here are a few suggestions for totally alcohol-free ways to spend your time:

• • Hiking can be a great way to enjoy what these seasons have to offer, with the added benefit of being far from the local bar. Make sure to stay hydrated!
  • Joining a rec league sports team can be another great way to get some exercise and comradery. Look for a recovery-focused sports team or league in your area.
  • Volunteering with a local charity is a great way to occupy your body and mind while helping others.
  • Picking up a new hobby or skill can be a fun way to meet new people and broaden your horizons. You could take up gardening, cooking, art, music, or various other classes or lessons in your area.

Know Your Limits to Avoid Alcohol Relapse

If you’ve been in recovery for a while, you might feel comfortable attending backyard barbecues, beach parties, or music festivals where alcohol is present but not the sole focus of an event. However, some level of caution and preparation is still advised. Set time limits on your involvement and evaluate how you’re dealing with any potential triggers or temptations every hour or so. Bringing a supportive friend along for the ride is a good way to ensure someone will have your back if you begin struggling with temptation. Take things slowly and be ready with an exit strategy in case those familiar urges return.

Understand How Relapse Works

An alcohol relapse isn’t a snap decision made at the moment; it happens in stages. Maybe you haven’t been sleeping well lately. Work or a relationship could be causing you stress. When you’re not taking care of yourself, things begin to work behind the scenes leading to an emotional relapse. From there, you might start thinking about alcohol again. If you don’t deal with the problems at hand, those thoughts, or the beginning stages of mental relapse, can develop into urges. Continuing to ignore the situation is what sets you on course for a physical relapse.

Learning Relapse Prevention Coping Skills

At Cycles of Change, we can help you identify your relapse triggers, so you can develop the skills you need to cope healthily. No two addictions are the same. That’s why our caring team of healthcare professionals and counselors will work with you to develop a treatment plan customized to fit your individual needs and situation. Our luxury drug and alcohol rehab facility in Palmdale, California, offers various programs designed to help you reach your goals. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, contact us today. We are here for you.

When you complete a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, it can be a little scary leaving the structure and support you received while in treatment. Some treatment centers can help you with aftercare programs that include additional counseling, therapy, activities and support groups. These are great ways to keep your recovery journey on the right track.

However, for those who need a little extra help, you may want to consider an extended care facility. Extended care facilities are group homes that can allow you to return to the normal, everyday world more gradually with a greater support structure.

The Early Days of Recovery

Entering rehab can be an intimidating process at first, but many people quickly find that it becomes like a second home where they don’t have to hide or rush the process. In fact, a recent study found that those who underwent a treatment program that lasted longer than 30 days had an 84% success rate. Once you’ve committed to a recovery program, your first step is detoxification.

This is the period where your body adjusts to the absence of alcohol and other drugs. Depending on the length and severity of your addiction, you may require medically supervised detox. In less severe cases where the withdrawal symptoms or complications aren’t expected to be life-threatening, sub-acute detox is generally recommended. It may take a few days to a couple of weeks to get through this period. There won’t be much in the way of counseling or therapy during this time as it can be difficult to focus and learn while dealing with withdrawals.

Gaining Strength Through Inpatient or Outpatient Programs

Whether your continuing recovery care is provided through inpatient or outpatient programs, you’ll begin learning about your addiction and how to manage it. Developing healthier coping skills, identifying potential relapse triggers and receiving relationship/family counseling are all common practices at this stage. The goal is to prepare you for the obstacles that await when you return to your normal everyday routine.

Some form of ongoing aftercare like support groups, continued individual therapy and other programs is strongly encouraged to help you maintain your newfound sobriety. If you’re hesitant to jump back into your everyday life, extended care can be worked into your program to help make the transition easier.

Things to Look for in Extended Care Facilities

A quality extended care program should provide a number of things to help maintain a semblance of stability and structure for you:

• Group counseling
• Relapse support
• Accountability
• Curfew
• Comfortable, secure homelike atmosphere

Addiction Extended Care for Lancaster, Los Angeles and Palmdale

Cycles of Change Recovery’s partnered extended care home is just that: a home. It’s a place where you can feel safe and secure while receiving the ongoing support you need to make your transition back to society. You’ll enjoy comfortable rooms, indoor and outdoor areas for social engagement and a community that understands what you’re going through. If you or a loved one needs help with addiction, the caring, supportive professionals at Cycles of Change are here for you. Contact us to start your journey towards recovery today.

When you consider the constant onslaught of stress, trauma and danger experienced by first responders, it shouldn’t be too surprising that many of them turn to substance use to help cope. Roughly 40% of EMTs have issues with drug or alcohol use. One in four police officers has a drinking problem. More than a third of firefighters struggle with alcohol or painkiller misuse. Nurses, public safety officials, dispatchers and others involved with this kind of work are also at an increased risk of trouble with substance use. Here are some signs that you might need treatment and what you should look for in a rehabilitation program.

Symptoms of Drug and Alcohol Dependency

Drug and alcohol misuse can lead to changes in behavior like:

• Lack of concern over negative effects of use
• Inability to stop using
• Hiding use (completely or lying about the amount being used)
• Loss of interest in other activities or hobbies

You may also notice physical changes such as:

• Sudden changes in weight
• Poor physical condition or hygiene
• Insomnia
• Bloodshot eyes

Withdrawal symptoms are also a sign of dependency issues and may include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Depression
• Headaches
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

PTSD, Stress and Anxiety Require Treatment

When you’re ready to seek help for drug or alcohol issues, it’s important to consider the reasons why you started using in the first place. Make sure you choose a rehabilitation program that will address complicating factors like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and other psychological injuries. When these conditions are combined with substance misuse, they are called co-occurring disorders. Treating only part of the problem leads to much higher relapse rates.

Personalized Substance Use Treatment for First Responders

No two people are alike. That’s why you should choose a rehab facility that offers personalized treatment that focuses on you as an individual. There are a number of therapy models that can be used to treat your conditions, and you deserve a compassionate team that will work with you to develop your very own recovery plan. Some therapies that have been shown to be particularly effective for first responders include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Family and couple counseling
• Critical incident stress management
• Psychodrama Therapy
• Creative programs (music and art)

Substance Use Programs for First Responders in Palmdale, CA

The First Responder Wellness Program at Cycles of Change Recovery is here for you. We offer personalized treatment plans that are tailored to meet your unique needs. You will meet with a compassionate team of specialists who has extensive experience working with first responders. Together, you can work on healthier coping strategies for the daily stresses that your career provides and find the road to recovery. Take that first step towards healing and contact our team for a private consultation today.

First responders face significant risks to keep their communities safe. Many of those risks are obvious, but a growing number of police officers, firefighters, EMTs and ER nurses are fighting another battle. The cumulative pressure of the job and the amount of trauma both witnessed and endured by first responders can take a toll that may lead to depression, anxiety, PTSD and substance use.

One in Four Police Officers Struggle with Alcohol Consumption

Police officers are often called to deal with people experiencing some of the lowest points of their life. Confronting dangerous individuals may require split-second decisions that mean life or death for themselves, their partners or innocent bystanders. Memories of grisly crime scenes can linger for years or even a lifetime. As a result, many in the profession begin self-medicating with alcohol. Sharing drinks with a partner or squad after a particularly tough assignment can quickly become an everyday reality. The combination of trauma, stress and peer pressure can make it difficult to say no.

More Than a Third of Firefighters Struggle with Excessive Alcohol or Painkiller Use

Firefighters are regularly exposed to dangerous, potentially life-threatening situations. Shift schedules can contribute to exhaustion and sleep disruption. If these issues aren’t managed carefully, they can lead to PTSD, anxiety and depression, which are major risk factors for drug and alcohol use disorders. Physical injury may also be fairly common on the job. Painkillers also pose a significant risk to firefighters’ health and wellbeing, even when used exactly as prescribed.

An Estimated 40% of EMTs Turn to Drugs or Alcohol to Cope

EMTs may find themselves regularly tasked with bringing patients back from the brink of death. They face traumatic events up close and personal on a daily basis. Their irregular work shifts can be a source of stress, as well. With their knowledge of and easy access to drugs, self-medication can be an increasingly difficult temptation to resist.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

Admitting you need help can be difficult because you don’t want to be passed over for a promotion or be ostracized by your peers who think you can’t handle the job. At Cycles of Change, we understand the stigma surrounding issues like PTSD and substance misuse. If you’re using alcohol or painkillers to cope with PTSD, anxiety or depression, we can help. Our caring, compassionate professionals will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to deal with the co-occurring disorders you’re facing. If you’re ready to make a lasting recovery, contact us for a confidential conversation today.

When you relapse into drug or alcohol addiction, it’s not a single moment. Several things over the course of days, weeks, or even months led to that point. Relapse starts subconsciously on an emotional level before it progresses to the mental stage. Once you’ve begun considering using again, it’s only a matter of time before you’re on the brink of falling into old habits. That’s why it’s important to recognize addiction relapse triggers so you can have strategies in place to deal with them before relapse advances to the physical stage.

Identifying Addiction Relapse Triggers

Everyone is different. Your relapse triggers may vary, too. These are some of the more common ones you might encounter, but a good rehabilitation program can help you zero in on your most vulnerable areas.

• Withdrawals are probably the first relapse trigger everyone encounters. Depending on several factors, these can be more intense for some individuals, but rest assured, they are temporary.
• Stress or anxiety may have been the primary factor in why you started using it in the first place. While you’re in a recovery program, you’ll learn healthier coping methods.
• People, places, or things you associate with your addiction – whether you realize the associations or not – can trigger relapses, as well.
• Isolation cuts off bad influences, but it separates you from your support structure, too. It would be best if you kept healthy connections to grow and stay sober.
• Unhealthy relationships or volatile emotional states can push you back towards using. Don’t submit yourself to abuse or toxic relationships. If you’re struggling with anger or loneliness, reach out to a friend, a loved one, or a sponsor who can provide positive emotional support.
• Pride or overconfidence in your resolve can sabotage your recovery. If you’re struggling with any of the triggers above or having difficulty managing something else, recognize that you need help and reach out.

The First Stage of Addiction Relapse: Emotional

The beginning of a relapse takes place behind the scenes. You’re not thinking about a drink or a hit. Maybe your sleep routine is out of whack, or you’ve picked up some bad dietary habits. These things can throw your body out of rhythm, leading towards the next stage of relapse if you don’t address them now. Other signs of emotional relapse include:

• Anger or irritability
• Mood Swings
• Defensiveness
• Isolation
• Anxiety
• Skipping meetings

The Second Stage of Addiction Relapse: Mental

If you miss the emotional symptoms, they can wear you down. Once you feel isolated and exhausted, your thoughts might begin to wander to unhealthy places. At the beginning of mental relapse, you’re still not consciously considering using, but if left unchecked, that’s where it can lead. It can progress from a passing thought to a full-on battle raging inside your mind. That’s why you need to be on the lookout for these warning signs:

• Seeking the company of friends who still use
• Revisiting places that remind you of your addiction
• Lying to yourself and others about your struggle
• Romanticizing your past substance abuse
• Actively planning how you might go about using it again.

What do you do if you find yourself here?

• Ask for help. Confiding in a loved one, a friend, a counselor, or a sponsor can relieve some of your internal pressure, and you won’t feel so alone in your struggle.
• Take it to step by step. You don’t have to be sober for the rest of your life at the moment you’re dealing with urges. Hold out for 30 minutes. If the urge doesn’t pass, give yourself an hour or two. Recovery is a process, and it takes time.
• Do something. Anything! Exercise, go for a walk, take up a new hobby or go to a meeting. If you occupy your mind and body with other, healthier activities, it’s harder to fall back into old habits.
• Consider what comes next. If you’re fantasizing about using, don’t stop the fantasy at the act. Think about the consequences that follow. Addiction is a disease that has caused you harm. Don’t offer it a chance to do more.

The Final Stage of Addiction Relapse: Physical

It’s possible to make it all the way to the bar and stop just short of taking a drink. However, it’s much harder to turn back at that point. This is not a process you want to repeat because it can eventually wear you down. At Cycles of Change, our addiction experts can help you identify your relapse triggers and how to handle them. You’ll learn more about the stages of relapse as well as techniques for finding your way back on the path to recovery. You are not alone on this journey. We are here for you.