For this reason, those who have recently completed an alcohol rehabilitation program or other substance abuse program need education on how to recognize the triggers that may lead to a relapse, and how to prevent or at least avoid them. These can include stressful circumstances which the person may have previously dealt with by consuming alcohol, social situations which may have made it difficult for a person to resist drinking, or other things.
Whatever the reasons were that led to alcohol consumption, it is important that the alcohol rehab center at which a person sought treatment provide a relapse prevention plan, either while the patient is still in the in-patient portion of the program, or while he is in an out-patient status. The plan should include information on outside support groups, such as AA or similar programs, as well as continuing individual and group therapy.
If a relapse has occurred, even after a relapse prevention plan was part of the alcohol rehabilitation program, it may be necessary for a person to re-enter a facility as an in-patient. If this occurs, and the facility has the capability to do so, physical examinations and psychological testing may be needed to determine if the relapse may have been caused by an underlying condition such as Bipolar Disorder, chronic depression, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that may have been previously undiagnosed.
By logging on to http://www.drugrehabcenter.com/ or calling 1-800-559-9503, you can obtain information on an alcohol rehabilitation program that includes a relapse prevention plan, and on facilities that can provide diagnostic tools to check for underlying relapse triggers such as those mentioned above.
