Preventing Relapse after opiate detoxification.

[Richard_smoker]

I found the following article on my computer. I can't recall what website it is from, but is a very simple, but VERY appropriate concepts regarding how to STAY CLEAN after opiate-detoxification.

Please feel free to add more suggestions. -DICK

Preventing relapse
Treating your medical condition can help you gain control over your dependence—so you can spend more time and energy on the things you value most in life. During your treatment, you may learn to identify your potential for relapse and develop skills to manage these challenging times. When you're aware of which situations might make you want to use opioids again, you'll be better able to avoid those situations, control your response to these "triggers," and seek support from a friend, family member, counselor, or doctor. Some common "triggers" to use opioids again are:

• Situations that make you emotionally upset, lonely, or depressed
• Being with people you've used opioid drugs with in the past
• Visiting places—a restaurant, bar, friend's house, etc.—where you misused opioids
• Being with people who are using opioid drugs
• Being prescribed a prescription pain medication after surgery or a severe injury without proper medical supervision

Remember, you are not alone on this journey.

We strongly encourage you to seek out professionals trained in substance abuse treatment. Working with them will help you learn the skills you need to effectively manage your "triggers," change your behavior, and keep you on track for getting your life back. -unknown author.

[infekt]

A relapse is an unfortunate event. But it only has as much importance as swiy puts into it. A slip doesn't always have turn to a fall. Pick swiyself back up and dust swiy off. And keep on moving forward!

That's my suggestion!!

Oh and I believe in terms of preventing relapse, try to be able to tell on yourself. If you have a sponsor or anyone to talk to, that is. Whenever you have that sneaky little thought of relapse, hold no reservations. Play the tape back of the old life in your head and pick up the phone!

Reputation Comments on this post:

excellent point. i was actually mulling over this very thought earlier today. thanks.

[anarchyat]

Swim can't stress enough how much exercise seems to help maintain happiness and keep from abusing drugs, be it opiates or not. Swim feels happier and healthier when exercising and thinks less about resorting to drug use. That's just swim though.

[Mrs. Brownstone]

Totally agree about the exercise. Only problem with swim is after a week of working out and being responsible, swim feels like she deserves a party. Swim has relapsed several times but so far has managed to not get back into a daily habit. Swim hopes to become stronger at some point in the near future. As for the original post, swim relapses for exactly those reasons stated above. Swim has found it difficult to find friends who do not use.

[superdupernaut]

"swim feels like she deserves a party. Swim has relapsed several times but so far has managed to not get back into a daily habit."

So whats wrong with that? If swiy can handle just doing a joy-bang every now and then, thats a good thing, IMHO.

That article you got looks like treatment 101.

[anarchyat]

As much as swim wouldn't like to admit it, a support group like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can be extremely helpful. Having someone who understands what swiy is going through and can provide support when swiy is going through a rough time can make all the difference. NA is also a great way to make friends who are also committed to being sober and hopefully want to stay that way, and help others stay that way.

If swiy is looking for a NA meeting check out the following link. Swim would recommend giving it a try at least.
http://portaltools.na.org/portaltools/MeetingLoc/

As for the whole "reward system", if swiy would really like to get clean swim would recommend kicking it for good. It'll come back to bite swiy in the ass.

Reputation Comments on this post:

thank you for your thoughtful opinion