May 13, 2013 | By Tim Stoddart

What to Do After a Relapse – The “Morning” After

Recovery

In recovery, “relapse” is that awful seven-letter word that we all fear will bring our lives crashing down. But here’s the truth about relapse: it doesn’t mean that you’ve failed. However, there aren’t many resources that help you decide what to do after a relapse.

Relapses certainly can lead to very bad things and last for long periods of time. These notions make relapses seem earth-shattering, but they don’t have to be. If you do something to stop your relapse rather than succumb to it, you can go back to living a happy, healthy sober life.

what to do after a relapse

The thing to remember is that one day of using or drinking again doesn’t automatically turn into a long-term relapse. A one-day “slip” is serious, but you have the power and knowledge to put on the brakes. The trick is to address your slip immediately, so here are the steps you should take the morning after a slip:

Step One: Admit Your Slip to Yourself

Step one of the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is to admit that you’re “powerless over alcohol,” and that step is crucial whether you’re in AA or not. You can’t help yourself if you don’t think you have a problem. Be honest with yourself by admitting and accepting that you slipped.

Step Two: Make a 24-Hour Commitment

Next, make a 24-hour commitment to stay sober. You will probably be feeling pretty bad about yourself after a slip, and you might dread facing your problems. The AA mantra “one day at a time” is helpful here, too. Promise yourself that won’t use or drink for just the next 24 hours.

Step Three: Connect with Your Spirituality

Most people in recovery find that putting their faith in God or a Higher Power helps them tremendously. No matter what you believe, connect with your spirituality in some way (such as meditation, prayer, reading religious text, etc.).

Step Four: Admit Your Slip to Someone Else

The worst thing you can do after a slip is keep it to yourself. You may feel very embarrassed or ashamed about your slip, but remember that the people who love you are there to support you. You might call your sponsor, therapist, best friend, close family member, or whoever you trust.

Step Five: Get to a Meeting or Counseling Session

If you’re a member of AA or any other fellowship, get yourself to a meeting as soon as you can, preferably within 24 hours after your slip. You might also call your addiction coach, counselor, or other therapist and ask for an emergency meeting.

If you follow those five steps immediately after a slip, it will be much easier for you to jump back on the wagon. If you make it 24 hours without using again, then make another 24-hour commitment to stay sober. A slip does not mean you’ve lost everything you’ve already learned about addiction and recovery.

As they say, “relapse is a process.” To avoid slipping again, you’ll have to closely examine why you slipped, what lead up to it, and what you must change so that you can stand on solid ground in recovery again. On the morning after your slip, however, you don’t need to overwhelm yourself with any thoughts other than staying sober.

3 responses to “What to Do After a Relapse – The “Morning” After

  • George Garris

    11 years ago

    Ive had a few relapses since ive been around the rooms of AA. My last relapse lasted about 4 and a half years. Im from Sarasota Fl and have a huge AA family. I was working on the road doing Major construction projects and could not stay sober. I called a friend of mine who is now my sponsors sponsor and has known me for the last 12 years and told him I needed help and wantted to get honest and to quit drinking and drugging. he called people in volved in AA and i got into a REhab in Sarasota at the Salvation Army Center of Hope. I have been sober since December 21 2012. Iam working the steps with my sponsor, I go to meetings every day, I have a home group called the Happy Cookie Hour and I pray every morning to the GOD of my understanding to keep me away from a drink and a drug, to restore me to sanity and to take over my will and my lif for today and my life has greatly improved 100 times over. I live in just the 24 hours for today and I dont worry about tomorrow or what happened yesterday. Thank God for the hand of AA and the principles of the 12 step program I live by

  • I also went to The Salvation Army ARC in Houston..It`s a 6-9 mo.Christian based adult rehab..you work for the army in turn you get room and board,church,counseling,job oppurnitys…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

24/7 Rehab Help (866) 207-7436 Sponsored | Who Answers

Contact Sober Nation's Sponsored Hotline

If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the SoberNation.com hotline is a confidential and convenient solution.

Calls to any general hotline (non-facility) will be answered by Treatment Addiction Solutions

Alternatives to finding addiction treatment or learning about substance:

If you wish to contact a specific rehab facility then find a specific rehab facility using our treatment locator page or visit SAMHSA.gov.

To learn more about how Sober Nation operates, please contact us