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 Centre for Addictionand Mental Health |
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About Mental Health & Addictions
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Recovery and relapse preventionConcurrent Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders: An Information Guide Some people with concurrent disorders may feel as if they have too many problems. They may feel these problems are too much to overcome, and that life will never be good again. They may also feel unable to do all the things they did before. These feelings are natural and understandable. Yet, treatment, support and effort can help people with concurrent disorders to live meaningful, rewarding lives. One of the first steps toward recovery is to set appropriate goals and priorities. This often happens during treatment, but recovery can also happen without the help of professionals. Family members are also important during recovery. It can help if you talk about your plans and concerns with family, to receive their support and feedback. What does it mean to be “in recovery”? Each person has a different idea about what recovery means. The key goals of treatment are:
Many people measure recovery by their success in meeting these goals. However, recovery is more than this. Recovery is a process; it depends as much on attitude as it does on following a treatment plan. The process of recovery can include:
A client in recovery is not “cured.” People may still have symptoms and struggle with their problems during their recovery. A relapse of substance use or mental health problems is often part of the process. Recovery takes time. You may expect to have at least a year of care as part of your recovery, and to be involved in different programs in different settings. Preventing relapse and promoting wellness The following tips may help you prevent relapse and have a healthy lifestyle. 1. Become an expert on your condition. Ask your treatment provider about your problems and their treatment. Many resources are available. These include:
The quality of information varies. Ask your treatment team to recommend good sources. 2. Stick to your plan to manage both problems. This includes:
3. Live a healthy life. Eat a healthy diet, sleep well and exercise. Regular exercise can positively affect mood. Try to follow a regular routine that includes activities in the evenings and on weekends. Use your faith, religion or healing practices that support your recovery. 4. You can’t get rid of stress, so find ways to cope with stress. Many people use only one coping strategy, or way to deal with stress.Work with your treatment team to find strategies to handle day-to-day stress. 5. Have a support network of family and friends. A strong social network can be a big support. You can nurture and build this network to help protect you from situations that cause stress. Friends or family may recognize symptoms of mental health problems or situations that trigger substance use; they can assist you in seeking help if necessary. 6. Watch for signs of mental health problems or urges to use substances, and ask for help if you need it. You may be able to sense early signs of an episode of illness, or the urge to use substances again. Seeking help at these times may prevent a relapse. If a relapse does happen, getting help may prevent things from getting worse. 7. Try to balance your life. Remember to do things in moderation. Divide your time among:
A balanced and satisfying life can help you cope with stress. It may reduce your risk of relapse. 8. Remember how and why you need to stay well. Remind yourself of the things that help you stay well and the reasons for doing so. Reminders can include things like:
It may also be helpful to carry a list of activities that support recovery, as well as emergency numbers to contact in a crisis. |
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Last updated: May 08, 2008 11:07 AM Published: Oct 27, 2009 6:45 PM ID#P22341 |