How to Keep Your Goal of Drug Relapse Prevention

The goal of drug relapse prevention is to assist you in finding a successful rehab program or to find a way to stay clean in the outpatient context. The key to preventing relapse to alcohol or other drugs starts with a good foundation in a successful rehabilitation program. Keep in mind that each day has lots of tempting situations due to stress but you can do it and stay clean.

A good program will help you to address relationships and how to handle future problems with alternative solutions for life. There are also ways that you as a friend or loved one can help someone avoid the “drama” of having a relapse. Once you learn these tools, you will have a better understanding of why drug and alcohol relapse happens and how to prevent it.

Often relapse can occur when someone feels lonely, isolated, depressed, etc. If the person has gone through a drug rehabilitation center then he or someone he knows realizes there is a problem. The hardest part about being a friend to someone with this problem is staying quiet. When a user feels depressed and alone, she begins to look at the bottle of whatever and think it looks awfully friendly. Implementing successful drug relapse prevention tools can help -- and remember, you are not alone.

Be particularly aware that during challenges such as that when you know that your friend has lost her job, feels alone, is dealing with family issue etc., that it is a great time to intervene. Talk to your friend. Let her know that if she needs anything, she can talk to you. If she wants someone to hang out with, she can call you. Whatever the case may be, being there for your friend is a great way to prevent a relapse. If you yourself are the one dealing with drug temptations then turn to support during these times.

Offer to be available to talk with your friend if she feels like she may relapse. Invite her over to your house or out to dinner so her mind is on other things. Let her know that you\'ll be willing to take her to an AA or NA meeting if she feels compelled to relapse.

Keep a visualization for yourself of the life you want. If you are helping someone else through these challenges help them to keep a picture on their fridge of the ideal life they truly want.

Read more about Drug Relapse Prevention and check out the video on Drug Addiction Poetry to learn ways to get and stay clean.