Teens and young people who overcome their addiction should be immensely proud of their progress. It demonstrates their commitment to recovery and really stands as a testament to their maturity. Unfortunately, completing rehab is not the end of their recovery journey.
For those who become sober, everyday life must still be navigated. Remaining sober can be really tough for those who have recently recovered, and it can be especially hard for teens over the summer months where they lack the structure and support of school.
Thankfully, there are lots of things they can bear in mind to bolster their efforts to remain sober, as well as a bunch of techniques they can practise to improve their quality of life.
For those who become dependent on drugs or alcohol, substance abuse can come to encompass their entire understanding of what fun and recreation are [1]. Shaking this idea is therefore pivotal to overcoming addiction, but this is by no means easy.
Especially for young people, drinking alcohol and doing drugs can hold the allure of being both fun and dangerous. That which is restricted can provide an extra buzz or thrill, and the summer months provide ample time for such activities.
For a teen recovering from addiction, it is important that they make an effort to shift this perception of substance use and change what they consider fun. This might involve them trying new hobbies such as sports or art, or joining a club.
Although it can affect people at any age, peer pressure is a huge factor when looking at teen behaviour. Friends can influence behaviour in a really negative way, but when we respect them or want to avoid standing out, we follow along all the same.
For teens approaching the summer months, the fear of peer pressure can be very real. Young people may underestimate the severity of addiction and therefore try and get a recovered teen to engage in substance abuse. Resisting this can feel impossible.
However, steps can be taken to help individuals in this situation. Explaining to their friends the severity of addiction is a good place to start. If they understand that slipping back into substance use can be life-threatening, these friends will be less likely to encourage it.
The individual themselves can also take steps to improve their chances of resisting peer pressure if it does seem to be happening. For one, they can repeat to themselves how far they have come and reaffirm their belief in the principles of recovery and sobriety.
Teens can take steps to minimise the frequency of stressful or triggering situations, but there may come a time over the summer when they still come under the pressure of potential relapse. In this situation, they need something they can turn to for support.
Preparing coping mechanisms for when relapse seems likely is the backbone of all relapse prevention plans. Although individuals will do their best to avoid temptation, having techniques to turn to in moments of crisis can make all the difference.
For some individuals, this may look like breathing exercises which help re-establish calm and tune them back into the present. For others, coping mechanisms can involve exercise, music, or another medium which functions to distract the mind.
HALT is a very popular technique. It reminds individuals to ask themselves if they feel hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Often, relapse occurs when the body demands something, and attending to these demands can help prevent needless substance use.
Social interaction is key to the recovery process. During rehab, individuals are supported greatly by those also undergoing treatment and a variety of therapy staff. Upon returning home, this outlet for worries and doubts can disappear, so it must be replaced.
To help teens remain sober over the summer, it can be incredibly useful to have a lifeline which they can rely on if they turn to if they have questions or fears about their situation. This can be arranged with a member of staff at their treatment facility, or a parent or carer.
This lifeline can be used as a failsafe, relied upon when all other coping mechanisms have failed and a teen needs someone to talk them through a difficult moment. It can be the shortest of conversations that keep them going, so this option is invaluable.
Addiction rehab is the heart of recovery, but it is not the only means of support which individuals can access. Especially during the summer, it can help if teens spend their time continuing to learn about and combat their addiction.
Aftercare services are a great way for them to do this. Building upon and going beyond rehab, meeting with medical professionals can help boost understanding of addictive triggers and monitor physical health and wellbeing.
Treatment options can also be tailored to a teen’s specific experiences. They can meet with others recovering from dependencies on that specific substance, and exchange experiences which help them feel supported and less alone.
For some young people, summer can be a difficult time because it precedes a return to school in the autumn. After recovering from addiction, being around others and having to endure the routine and deadlines of education can be really intimidating.
Relapse is most common when individuals are stressed or panicked – returning to the comfort of how a substance makes them feel – and so taking time to anticipate the return to school can be essential to protecting sobriety.
There are a number of ways students can prepare for school. Getting into a regular sleep schedule can reduce the shock of having to keep to a rigid schedule, as can instilling a degree of routine in their day-to-day life.
What can also be helpful is reaching out to the school. By speaking with teachers and heads of departments to inform them about a young person’s situation, accommodations can be made to ensure they feel safe and comfortable when the term resumes.
This will also ensure that members of staff are aware of how a student feels, equipping them with the awareness to observe and look out for the young person.
Relapse is not a sudden, unexpected event, despite how it may feel to an individual. There are actually multiple stages of relapse which precede the physical consumption of a substance [2], and these can be identified if one knows the signs and symptoms.
Some of these a teenager will be able to spot for themselves. Others, however, may require the objective eye of parents, siblings, and friends to spot. The more people who know of the warning signs, the lower the risk of relapse.
There are two stages of relapse which occur before physical: emotional and mental. These are characterised by feelings which push individuals closer to wanting to relapse, followed by a conscious attraction to actually do it.
Some of the warning signs of these stages are:
There is so much more information out there about teen addiction and how to avoid relapse.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we have lots of other articles and blogs, and our dedicated team are on hand with plenty of information and guidance.
If you want to learn more or you are concerned about a young person in your life who is at risk of relapsing, get in touch with us on 0800 140 4690. We are here to help!
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4553654/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4553654/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
