You have probably experienced a moment when you needed tech support of one kind or another. Maybe your work computer was acting up. Maybe your home wi-fi was on the fritz. Maybe your cell phone was dropping every call.
Whatever the problem was, you might have reached out to an IT department or a customer service team to get help. And when you did that, you might have been asked this question: Have you tried turning it off and turning it back on?
It can be frustrating to be asked that particular question. But the reality is that sometimes turning something off and then turning it back on is, in fact, a way to solve the problem you are having. You might feel a little silly about it, but at least you will be up and running again. A restart can really do wonders.
How does this apply to your recovery journey? Well, if you were to experience a relapse, you might be at a loss as to what to do next. If you called us for support, we would suggest that the best move is to restart your recovery.
Let’s take a look at how that restart works and why it is important.
Restart By Heading Back to Treatment
It might be tempting to think that a relapse indicates that going through treatment was a waste of time. But in fact, the opposite is true.
Your time in treatment allowed you to reclaim your life and start your recovery. Any and all time you spent free from the influence of drugs or alcohol was a positive time—and that does not change if you experience a relapse.
Think about it this way: Imagine you have a good laptop computer that you have been using without issue for quite some time. One day, you get an error message and the computer freezes up. As a result, you cannot complete any of the tasks you rely on your computer to help you accomplish. In that situation, would your first move be to throw out your computer?
Probably not. Instead, you would look for a way to restore your computer to working order, right?
Returning to treatment after a relapse to restart your recovery is like finding a way to get your technology up and running again.
Your Restart Will Be Familiar
A return to treatment involves the same process as your first effort to put drugs and alcohol behind you. The first step is medically supervised detoxification which will allow you to weather the difficulties related to withdrawal in a safe environment that is free of temptations.
Detox is followed by a rehabilitation program that includes group and individual therapy sessions. During this second rehab, you will have the opportunity to work with a therapist to see if you can unpack what led to your relapse. That is important because it gives you a chance to develop strategies for avoiding or more skillfully managing that challenge if it arises in the future.
Rehab is followed by a return to your day-to-day life with ongoing support from your treatment center as well as from your recovery meeting peers, supportive friends and family, and others who can encourage you to stay the course. At this point, your restart has been successful.
That said, this may not be the last time you need to return to treatment. As with your technology, a problem can recur—or a new problem can arise—that requires another restart. That might be frustrating in the moment, but it should not prevent you from taking the steps necessary to get your recovery going once again.
A Note About Embarrassment
Sometimes it is hard to ask for help. That is true whether the problem is that your cell phone refuses to work or that you have experienced a relapse. Ironically, it is often the fact that we are embarrassed that we cannot solve a problem on our own that keeps us from asking someone to help us.
But when it comes to restarting your recovery, it is essential that you see a restart as an opportunity rather a reason for shame or embarrassment. The longer you wait to get help, the more drugs and alcohol can chip away at your physical health, your mental well-being, your relationships, and more. We urge to you to get your restart underway immediately after a relapse.
And if your treatment facility is The Farley Center, we can guarantee that you will never feel judged or shamed while getting the help you need. We treat everyone we serve with the empathy and respect they deserve.
We Are Ready to Help
Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, The Farley Center is fully committed to helping individuals who are struggling with drugs or alcohol. We provided personalized care as well as support for family members affected by a loved one’s substance use disorder. When you are ready to make a transformative change in your life, we are here to help you make that change a reality.
