I've relapsed,
now what?

Reach out to your loved ones when you are experiencing the heavy emotions that come with managing recovery. Let your friends and family know that you would like them to be part of your support team — to check in and encourage you to stick with your treatment. Speak to others who have battled their own drug and alcohol challenges and come through to lead a full life afterwards.

Remind yourself what it is that you love doing — activities that make you happy and relaxed and that will keep you occupied while you get back on track. It could be spending time outdoors, exercise, cookouts, music — anything that will distract your mind and help you to feel happy.

Write down your reasons for finding treatment. Think about what’s most important to you that could be put at risk by drinking or drug use — your family, paying the bills, your job, your Brothers and Sisters, your health, or your future. Ask yourself what your future self would say to encourage you to get support.

Remember what it feels like to have the freedom to spend time with your loved ones, doing the things you enjoy — to be strong and dependable on the job — to feel healthy, proud, and full of life.

Ask yourself if there’s anything standing in the way of getting treatment. Getting to your appointment, finding someone to watch your child or ailing parent, or fitting treatment around work or other responsibilities could all make attending treatment tricky. A Navigator Care Consultant will help you get an appointment for treatment at a time that works for you and find options that fit around your schedule.

Track the times when you feel like you need to drink or take drugs. Are they the same as before you began your recovery journey? Do you notice anything new? Understanding when events take place can help you avoid difficult situations that might tempt you to drink or take drugs going forward.