Most people in Cameron, North Charleston, and across the United States make New Year’s resolutions only to abandon them in the first two weeks of the new year. One professional says that the reason behind failed New Year’s resolutions is simple: our brains aren’t wired for huge sweeping changes in a short period—and resolutions often involve drastic, unfamiliar change.
The same is true in addiction recovery. One study shows that many people—if not most—relapse between 1 and 12 months after entering an inpatient treatment program or outpatient service.
Our tendency to abandon New Year’s resolutions or relapse from addiction recovery isn’t easily understood—unless you have some familiarity with the mere exposure effect.
Mere Exposure: Why We Stick to The Familiar
It’s a simple concept. The more exposed you are to any one thing the more familiar you become with it. This familiarity creates a bond for better or worse.
Familiarity has a few effects on human beings:
- It takes away uncertainty, potentially creating less mental discomfort
- It makes it easier to process or interpret our environment, freeing up mental real estate to focus on other things or distract ourselves from things we don’t want to acknowledge
- It can decrease anxiety symptoms
Dependence on a substance is a form of familiarity. The brain becomes so used to the substance that it does everything it can to ensure that you keep using it. Understanding this process allows you to plan and prepare for the challenges of recovery.
Relapse is a natural part of recovery. It can’t be completely avoided—because even if you never use the substance again, there are a few ways to relapse without ever using a drug. The emotional and mental sides of relapse can be difficult to manage and can later lead to physical relapse.
This is why Waypoint Recovery Center encourages creating 2025 resolutions that keep relapse–in all of its forms–in mind.
Setting Realistic New Year’s Resolutions That Support Relapse Prevention
New Year’s resolutions typically fail because they are unrealistic or drastic. Trying to change your life in big ways is admirable but probably not feasible—unless you can break down the big change into smaller, more easily accomplished, steps. When it comes to recovery, you’ve already made a big change by cutting out substances from your life. Sustaining this big change will take an ongoing commitment to a lot of smaller goals. So instead of making a resolution to never drink or use drugs again, it might be better to focus on these small goals. Paying attention to the details of each day and the choices you make that day will help you anticipate physical, mental, and emotional changes that might lead to relapse.
Resolutions to Help Manage Emotions
Emotional turmoil is a big trigger for relapse. To help yourself maintain emotional awareness and the energy to address your feelings, resolve to do the following:
- Prioritize proper sleep habits
- Keep your diet healthy and nutritious
- Take time to journal or meditate
- Attend individual therapy sessions regularly
Resolutions to Help Manage Thoughts
Cravings can appear at any time in recovery, and getting caught in thoughts about wanting to use can lead to relapse. To protect your mental health, resolve to do the following:
- Talk with a trusted friend, family member, mentor, or therapist when you have cravings or thoughts of using
- Avoid situations where substance abuse consequences may be downplayed or invalidated—such as old haunts or people from your past who still struggle with substances
- Avoid airports and vacation resorts in early recovery, especially if you aren’t accompanied by someone who supports your sobriety
Resolutions to Prevent Relapse
Physical relapse happens when someone uses the substance they struggled with again or returns to using regularly. To help avoid relapse, resolve to do the following:
- Avoid places and scenarios where it is easy to use without getting caught
- Have a plan in place for what you will do if you relapse: who you will contact and what they will do to help you get back on track
- Instead of focusing on how much you don’t want to relapse, focus on how much you enjoy being sober–create a life for yourself that feels fulfilling, with good work, good relationships, and sober fun
Relapse Prevention in South Carolina
Waypoint Recovery encourages everyone in Cameron and North Charleston who struggles with addiction to contact us today. We know that relapse occurs in every season every year—and we want to support you in your recovery goals in 2025 and beyond.
