Today people across the country and here in New Hampshire struggle with addiction daily. Treatment and recovery are never linear. While many seek and complete addiction treatment programs, relapse can happen. Substance exposure and other high-risk situations can often lead to relapse, other substance use, and self-harming behaviors. Unfortunately, this can lead some to stop prioritizing sobriety and avoid further treatment.
If you or someone in your life is struggling, A Better State can help. Our addiction treatment programs can help minimize substance exposure and help you and your loved ones avoid high-risk situations. Call us now at 781.412.1488 to learn more about high-risk situations in addiction recovery and how we can help.
What Are High-Risk Situations in Addiction Recovery?
Every choice may come with some level of risk. For those in addiction recovery, daily activities can come with higher risks of substance use than those without a history of addiction. Anyone struggling with mental health and unprocessed trauma may perceive a situation as a higher risk.
A high-risk situation might involve exposure to drugs and alcohol, triggering people and places, extreme stress, or other mental health triggers. Understanding that some situations are high risk for anyone in recovery while others are high risk for someone because of personal triggers can help you, and your loved ones understand risk assessment for long-term sobriety.
Understanding and Avoiding Drug Addiction High-Risk Situations
The best way to reduce the risk of relapse is to avoid high-risk situations. While avoiding all risks isn’t possible, some situations are more triggering than others. Here are some ways to avoid high-risk situations and promote sobriety:
- Minimize substance exposure – Whether this means sober holidays, changes in social behavior, or not living alone, minimizing access to drugs and alcohol is key.
- Leave toxic relationships – Enablers, other drug users, and abusive relationships are all high-risk relationships that are not worth the risk of relapse.
- Assess social situations – Before saying “yes” to an invitation, consider what might trigger from location to company. Knowing your triggers is a great way to choose low-risk social situations.
- Ask for help – Whether you lean on an alumni program or family member, asking for help when you feel triggered can take a situation from high to minimal risk.
These are only a few ways to assess and lower the risk of relapse. It’s important to remember that you have support systems like friends, family, and sponsors. Therapeutic tools, high-quality sleep, and sticking to routines can help lower stress and reduce the risk of any situation.
Learn More About Avoiding High-Risk Situations
High-risk situations can dominate addiction recovery. Understanding and treating the root cause of substance use and addiction is crucial in overcoming the risk of relapse. If you or someone you love struggles with substance use, our team can help you understand risk levels throughout treatment. Our outpatient programs provide:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Yoga therapy
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment
- Depression treatment
- Anxiety treatment
- 12-step programs
- Art therapy
- Meditation therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Mindfulness therapy
For many, treating mental health, talking about high-risk situations, and developing a sober community can decrease the risk of many situations. Learn how to reduce risk with our evidence-based and alternative individual, group, and family therapies. Our partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) have daytime and evening treatment options to help you recover without compromising your schedule.
Get Started with Our Addiction Treatment Program in New Hampshire Today
Don’t let substance use or the fear of high-risk situations control your life. Contact us now at 781.412.1488 to speak to our team and find out how A Better State can help you recover and navigate high-risk situations in addiction recovery.
