Avoiding relapse is one of the major hurdles that must be considered in overcoming addiction. Relapse or the case of turning back into substance use after a period of abstinence is something that can happen to anyone who has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Even after treatment, it can still come unexpectedly.
As a potent substance is strongly capable of inducing physical dependence, oxycodone can cause cravings that can be too difficult to fight off without medical supervision. Pursuing withdrawal without medical help can only lead to relapse, and the risk that comes with failed withdrawal attempts can be lethal.
Understanding Triggers For Relapse
Relapse can be triggered by both internal and external factors. It is important to be aware of these triggers so that one can avoid and not only fight off the temptations of using the substance again. With addiction treatment, counseling and therapy are great means to determine personal triggers of addiction.
Internal triggers are usually associated with personal feelings and both positive and negative ones can be the cause of relapse. Occasions of stress can make one more vulnerable to giving in to cravings. Other underlying mental health problems such as anxiety and depression also count. The desire to shut down negative emotions such as grief is also another cause.
Internal triggers do not always sprout from negative feelings. When a person feels too confident about being sober that they feel like they can handle a small dose of the drug, this can open to episodes of relapse. It is also the same when one is in a celebratory mood and they feel like a small dose won’t bite, the risk for relapse can just be very high.
On the other hand, external triggers refer to environmental factors which can be people with previous experience of using the drug, places, scents, and sights which can remind one about taking the substance. When the mind becomes filled with the thought of using the drug, this is a red flag that one needs to call for help.
Patients may have developed coping skills during their addiction treatment but it does not guarantee that relapse can be easily overcome by then. Living a drug-free life is a lifelong journey that needs dedication and commitment to keep it in place. Acknowledging that triggers can happen anytime is a key to preventing relapse.
Completing a Medically Supervised Addiction Treatment Plan
A medically supervised addiction treatment ensures the safety and effective care. Although many would say that oxycodone withdrawal does not pose a fatal health risk, this does not entail that it is painless. When treatment is not completed as medically advised, progress may also be cut short, and returning to oxycodone abuse can be imminent.
Addiction treatment takes time and it is important to give oneself enough time to heal and cope with the damage that the substance has caused to the body. Ceasing the use of oxycodone can be so overwhelming that without medical help, one can be stuck in using it again and again.
Medical experts are capable of tapering off one’s dose of oxycodone to limit the surge of withdrawal symptoms. These professionals can prescribe FDA-approved medicines for treating withdrawal symptoms. Their role in alleviating withdrawal plays a huge impact in recovering in the long run.
Committing to cooperating in one-on-one and group therapies is also helpful to one’s recovery. Taking the time to get treated helps one form new habits that can be applied later on even without the assistance of these medical experts. Committing to reflect deeply on personal struggles that fuel addiction is a great step in protecting oneself from relapse.
Giving a Priority to Self Care
People who have suffered from substance use disorder have caused their bodies a strain that needs to be constantly treated with self-care to heal. Life after substance addiction will never be the same as how it used to be before it. Every patient owes their body a maximum effort to keep it in optimum shape after addiction treatment.
Keeping a healthy lifestyle is a form of self-care. One must ensure that the body is nourished with a balanced diet, hydration, and proper exercise. Strengthening the physical state combats one from becoming easily stressed and also this can lead to a more positive mental health condition.
Meditation is an important aspect that most experts suggest to avoid relapse. Keeping a clear mental state and increasing awareness of one’s emotional disposition are keys to sustaining peaceful mental health. Even engaging in new hobbies or learning new skills are ways that can fill the head with a more positive disposition.
Engaging actively in support groups also fuels a healthy disposition. It is important to stay connected with a group of people rather than accustom oneself to isolation. Fellowship with others helps limit the occasions of feeling lonely, and it opens opportunities for new insights, learning, and adventures.
All these steps are great means of prioritizing self-care. By keeping a healthy disposition of physical and psychological aspects, it will be difficult for occasions of relapse to penetrate the mind and instill a whirlwind of negative thoughts and feelings. Self-care is great to combat relapse.
Seeking Help When Necessary
No matter how much the previously mentioned ideas have been persistently applied by a person who once struggled with oxycodone use disorder, it can still happen that one can be vulnerable to the triggers of relapse. Denial of these circumstances can only make matters worse. It is best to seek medical help once cravings for the drug become too strong to bear.
It is important to understand that seeking help is never a sign of weakness. If staying sober matters, then one should never hesitate to call for help in times of great need. In the long run, this act will mainly benefit oneself. What others might say or think will never be of any use to one’s recovery.
Get medical help on your drug rehabilitation journey today.
