How to Help an Alcoholic after 3 Rehabs - Rising from Ashes

A study by Addiction Group in 2023 states,

“Approximately 33% of alcoholics are likely to relapse within one month after completing treatment.”

So, relapse is common and obvious. But the struggle to cope and come back is the main thing in the recovery journey.

On average, another estimate shows that 40-60% of alcoholics experience a relapse at some point in their recovery journey. And during relapse, the crucial need is support to deal with the triggers and stay firm in staying sober.

I know this because I have seen my best friend struggle with relapse within one month of treatment. Today, I’ll share some suggestions and tips here in this guide to help an alcoholic fight relapse.

Table of Contents

Acknowledge the Difficulty of Relapse and Multiple Rehab Stays

Relapse is a harsh reality in the world of alcohol addiction recovery. Though one gives one’s complete determination and effort, there is still a high chance of finding an individual facing the familiar struggle after completing rehab multiple times.

Thus, relapse can be very challenging for individuals who have undergone multiple rehab stays. The repeated cycle of treatment and relapse can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and discouragement. And this is where we need to work hard.

We should not let the relapse get deeper and continuous. Plus, guilt and shame can further complicate the recovery process, making it more difficult to maintain motivation to continue being sober.

Basically, relapse after rehab indicates the need for support from loved ones to fight back against the triggers. Neither we nor let the patient think relapse is a big struggle or loss. It is a part of the recovery so as after rehab.

If you relapse, it means you are trying to recover. If you relapse, it is a signal that additional support and tactics are needed to address underlying issues.

Explore Underlying Issues of Multiple Rehab Stays

Multiple rehab stays mean there are deeper underlying issues that trigger the relapse, leading to multiple rehab stays and making the patient go through trauma and hopelessness. However, some of the major underlying causes of multiple rehab stays can be –

Unresolved Trauma

Traumatic incidents can leave deep emotional scars, making individuals repeat relapses. So, to overcome the trauma, a patient needs proper support and care to forget and stay firm in sobriety.

Depression & Anxiety

According to Urban Recovery,

“Approximately 65% of individuals in recovery report that stress is a primary trigger for relapse.”

Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health disorders can lead to multiple relapses resulting in multiple rehabs.

Lack of Support

Aftercare rehab needs support both mentally and socially. And here, family, friends, or other social support groups can come into play.

When my best friend was in rehab, he relapsed twice – once during the treatment and another after the rehab program, and thankfully we stayed beside him that time. Otherwise, he might have gone for drinking again.

You see, the lack of these support networks can lead one to struggle with the triggers, temptation to resist, and other recovery challenges.

Inadequate Coping Mechanisms

To prevent relapse, the patient must learn and practice strong and adequate coping skills. Without effective coping strategies to manage stress, emotions, and triggers, individuals are vulnerable to relapse.

Incomplete Treatment Plan

A proper treatment plan works as the key to a successful recovery journey as well as preventing relapse. Relapse can peep repeatedly due to an incomplete treatment plan or not completing the full treatment program.

Social Pressure

Social pressure works as a high-risk factor in alcoholic relapse. Social pressures such as family separation, relationship problems, financial stress, and job issues can lead to relapse.

Environmental Triggers

The surrounding environment plays a crucial role in getting triggers. Also, if one returns to an environment that involves heavy drinking or if one lacks the skills to cope with such situations, the risk of relapse increases.

Overconfidence and Complacency

Sometimes overconfidence in relapse prevention can lead to relapse. One might get too much confident right after completing treatment or overcoming the first relapse. But this can deadly encourage the lack of vigilance against triggers and cravings.

Types & Stages of Alcoholic Relapse

Alcohol relapse doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It often manifests through various types and stages, such as-

Emotional Relapse

This is the first stage of relapse. This is the time when negative emotions and behaviors regarding alcohol use or drinking peep through the mind.

During emotional relapse, one might experience intense cravings, feelings of loneliness, or other emotional triggers that lead to thoughts about drinking once.

Mental Relapse

Mental relapse is the second stage of relapse when one starts to give negative thoughts that come to mind.

“About 15% of relapses involve cognitive factors, such as distorted thinking patterns or rationalizing reasons to consume alcohol again.”

When determination gets loose and efforts are lower, mental relapse comes into play.

Physical Relapse

It is the third and final stage of relapse when the person can’t prevent anymore and actions are taken. It means in this relapse stage, one starts drinking again, and going back from this stage gets quite challenging.

“Around 25% of relapses occur due to situational triggers, such as attending social events where alcohol is present or encountering environmental cues that remind individuals of their past drinking habits.”

How to Help an Alcoholic after 3 Rehabs – Rising from Ashes