Maintaining good health requires dedicated focus. For example, a person with a chronic illness such as diabetes is going to eat a whole-food diet, incorporate regular daily movement into their routine, use different ways to manage stress more effectively, and maybe even take medication if advised by their physician. If you have alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) and notice some troubling disease symptoms, it might be time to return to rehab to gain control over your health.
Look for Solutions Specifically for You
It’s not that addiction rehabilitation isn’t effective. Far from it. However, the truth is that each individual has a unique biology and background, various contributing risk factors, perhaps adverse childhood experiences, and a host of other variables that contribute to their SUD or AUD. It’s critical to your long-term health and recovery to progress through addiction and possibly dual diagnosis treatment in ways that create a lasting foundation of wellness. If for any reason this doesn’t seem to be happening properly, don’t look at the process as a failure—returning to rehab could possibly provide you with more insight, in-depth professional guidance, and additional therapeutic methods to help solidify essential solutions.
In a 2021 study, Alcohol Research reported that “continuing care is widely believed to be an important component of effective treatment for substance use disorder, particularly for those individuals with greater problem severity.” Additionally, regardless of the type of intervention, the results indicated, “the status of most patients will change and evolve over time, and interventions need to include provisions to assess patients on a regular basis and to change or adapt treatment when warranted.”
Using our diabetes example above, someone with this condition is meeting with their healthcare provider at least twice a year to evaluate their status and determine if the current treatment approach is effective. By addressing SUD and AUD as chronic illnesses and not simply a lack of willpower or a moral failing, you can avoid the myths of addiction and focus on real solutions that help you.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that addiction is a treatable disorder, often through customized, evidence-based treatment plans that include a combination behavioral therapy, medically monitored detoxification, comprehensive continuing care and—depending on the substances misused—certain types of medication to help each individual progress successfully into recovery.
6 Signs That It May Be Time to Return to Rehab
The NIDA notes that “stopping drug use is just one part of a long and complex recovery process. When people enter treatment, addiction has often caused serious consequences in their lives, possibly disrupting their health and how they function in their family lives, at work, and in the community.”
So as you try to put the puzzle pieces together, returning to rehab might be the best option. Here are some key indicators that it might be time.
- Relapse. If you experience a relapse (and 40–60 percent of people do) and resume substance use, returning to rehab may be necessary to address the underlying issues and reinforce recovery. The NIDA states that “treatment of chronic diseases involves changing deeply rooted behaviors, and relapse doesn’t mean treatment has failed. When a person recovering from an addiction relapses, it indicates they need to speak with their doctor to resume treatment, modify it, or try another treatment.”
- Incomplete treatment. Sometimes, individuals may leave rehab before completing the recommended treatment program. Returning allows them to finish the remaining steps and build a more solid foundation for recovery. In some cases, it might be okay to try an intensive outpatient program if residential treatment presents logistical challenges.
- New triggers or stressors. Changes in life circumstances, new stressors, or exposure to triggers can increase the risk of relapse. Additional rehabilitation support and new coping strategies might help.
- Co-occurring mental health issues. Not every addiction rehabilitation center is equipped to handle mental health conditions or cross addiction. So if these concerns weren’t adequately addressed during the initial treatment, returning to rehab may be necessary to provide better solutions.
- Lack of aftercare support. Continuing care is crucial for maintaining sobriety. If you didn’t receive sufficient aftercare support or ongoing assistance, returning to rehab can help establish a more robust support system.
- Reevaluation of treatment plan. Similar to the management for other chronic health conditions, treatment needs often change. Returning to rehab allows for a reassessment of your progress and any necessary plan adjustment to help you reinforce wellness.
It’s important to remember that addiction is a complex and individualized issue, and what works for one person may not be the same for another. If you or someone you know is considering returning to addiction rehab, consult a healthcare professional or addiction specialist for personalized guidance and support.
Find What You Need at Fair Oaks
At Fair Oaks Recovery Center in Sacramento, California, we offer various types of treatment to meet you where you are and provide hope for the future. We also understand the value of continuing care and offer alumni numerous chances to build a supportive network of other individuals invested in health. Talk with a member of our admissions team to learn what solutions we can develop for you.
