Hawaii Island Recovery Relapse Prevention Program
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We Accept Most Major Insurances
Comprehensive Relapse Prevention in Hawaii
At Hawaii Island Recovery, our programs serve individuals 18 and up to develop essential skills for effective relapse prevention while fostering healing and personal growth. Guided by our expert clinical team, we use a collaborative approach to create individualized treatment plans that integrate evidence-based therapies with holistic practices. Patients engage in counseling, group sessions, and wellness activities like yoga and meditation, promoting mindfulness and resilience. Set in the stunning Hawaiian landscape, our programs empower guests to build a strong foundation for lasting recovery.
Our 5-Step Admissions Process
Step 1: The Call
Our admissions team listens with care to understand your needs. We’ll guide you toward the right level of care — whether here or at another trusted facility — so you can take the next step with confidence.
Step 2: Insurance Verification
We work with most major insurance plans and verify your benefits at no cost. Our team explains coverage clearly and offers payment options so cost never delays getting help.
Step 3: Pre-Admission Screening
Step 4: Admission Coordination
Step 5: Welcome to Hawaii Island Recovery
A Healing Experience that Transforms Mind, Body & Spirit
Understanding Relapse in Addiction Recovery
While nobody begins their addiction treatment with the intent to relapse, the risk of relapse is always possible. However, it is also not guaranteed to occur. With the right recovery support system, planning, and care, it is possible to identify warning signs, prevent relapse, and wholly focus on your successful sober life free from the effects of substance use disorders. Understanding what relapse is can empower you to best prepare for stresses, triggers, and challenges that may impact your chances of relapse throughout your time in substance abuse treatment. Hawaii Island Recovery is prepared to work with you and your family to establish an effective relapse prevention program for a sustainable, healthy sobriety.
However, in the unfortunate event of a relapse, your journey to recovery is not over. Experiencing a relapse in addiction recovery does not mean that you are somehow “beyond” a healthy, sober future. Instead, it is a sign that new plans must be created and adjusted to address your changing needs, stressors, risk factors, and goals in a sober life. Hawaii Island Recovery is always just one call away to help you establish a relapse prevention program or to refocus on your sober efforts following a relapse.
Identifying Early Signs of Relapse
Emotional and Psychological Signs
Identifying emotional and psychological signs of relapse can be the first sign that you need to take action to either address these challenges yourself or help a loved one through these difficult times. These signs include:
- Increased feelings of anxiety, depression, stress, guilt, or doubt
- Noticeable increase in the frequency or intensity of urges or cravings
- Mood swings
- Overconfidence in recovery, or feeling that you are “cured” of addiction
- Feeling isolated from friends, family, and support
- Rationalizing past substance use
Behavioral Signs
Potential relapse can also be identified by noticing changes in behavior in daily life. These behavioral signs of relapse include:
- Skipping out on recovery meetings
- Self-isolation practices
- Attending high-risk situations, even if under the pretense of trying to “test” yourself and your sober skills
- Connecting with people or social groups who may not support sobriety, or who were tied to past use of drugs or alcohol
- Difficulty managing daily responsibilities, either in professional life or at home
- Increase in secretive behavior
- Suppressing emotions
Physical Signs
Lastly, early signs of potential relapse can also be identified through physical signs. These commonly include:
- Physical and emotional fatigue
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of sleep
- Poor self-care
Your Relapse Prevention Program at Hawaii Island Recovery
While not everyone will experience a relapse in their recovery journey, it is crucial to be prepared for it. Hawaii Island Recovery offers personalized relapse prevention programs, working with you every step of the way to find your collection of skills, strategies, and support for addressing addiction and stress within our walls and instilling the skills and strategies to maintain a healthy, sober life beyond the treatment facility.
Individualized Relapse Prevention Program
Each aspect of your treatment and recovery from alcohol addiction, opioids, and opioid use disorder (OUD), heroin addiction, or any form of addiction is personalized to your needs and goals. This includes your most effective relapse prevention program. We work with you in ongoing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to explore your unique challenges and triggers and develop strategies for you to recognize these situations yourself, and then address them with a variety of personalized therapeutic options, self-care outlets, grounding strategies, and more.
However, you are never locked into a single plan or strategy. Practicing mindfulness strategies can empower you to identify when certain aspects of your recovery may be more challenging. You can also always pivot to new treatment options, modalities, and therapies throughout your recovery, from your first step in detox or continuing to manage your successful, sober life as an alumnus.
Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Coping strategies to address stress, anxiety, depression, and more are essential to every recovery journey. Working with an addiction and mental health professional to find your best coping strategies can help you address early signs of relapse and overcome these challenges without returning to the use of drugs or alcohol. Practicing effective coping mechanisms while in the safety of a curated sober space can also empower you to find the best strategies for your daily life while continuing to benefit from professional treatment.
Mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing (MI), self-care options, role playing, exercise, nutritional support, communication strategies, gratitude, and even spiritual practices can all make up effective coping strategies for navigating stress and the effects of the early stages of relapse. Combining effective coping skills with mindfulness practices can empower you to identify stress and take action to safely and effectively process these challenges without drugs or alcohol. The wealth of professionals and peers can be paramount in helping you explore new ideas, perspectives, and strategies in your sober life.
Building a Strong Support Network in Your Relapse Prevention Program
While addiction can often come with feelings of isolation, overcoming addiction is never a journey for a single person. Having a community of peers and professionals is crucial for overcoming addiction, as well as addressing underlying mental health needs, trauma, guilt, and more in your healing journey. Likewise, our robust community of support can help you navigate stress and prevent relapse at any stage of your healing journey.
Working with peers in group therapy and experiential therapy, and exploring family therapy programs, can all help you build a strong support network to challenge urges and cravings and prevent relapse. Many of our staff have also navigated the effects of addiction themselves, adding another layer of sympathy, understanding, and support to our dedicated healing community. Working alongside these supportive people and developing effective communication strategies is part of building a strong support network to prevent relapse.
Effective Techniques for a Relapse Prevention Program
Preventing relapse means putting in a comprehensive effort to address a multitude of stresses and challenges. However, it is always possible. Relapse is not necessarily a part of every recovery journey, but having an effective relapse plan alongside professionals, family, friends, and supports can help you maintain your sober transformation in recovery. Essential elements of an effective relapse prevention program include:
- Identifying and Avoiding High-Risk Situations: Recognizing high-risk situations can help you avoid unnecessary risks or recognize when you may be overconfident or unnecessarily risking your hard-earned sobriety.
- Managing Stress and Anxiety: Stress is a part of daily life. However, knowing how to process it can prevent alcohol or drug use from becoming a coping strategy once again. Self-care, communication techniques with trusted loved ones, healthy physical exercise routines, setting goals, and managing expectations can all help to address these feelings and maintain a healthy sobriety and daily life.
- Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Learning how to cope with challenges is a personal journey, and can vary from person to person. Experiential therapy can help you explore new activities, self-care options, and mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, and more. Healthy sleep routines, hobbies, breathing exercises, engaging in creative outlets, practicing gratitude, journaling, and more are all potential ways of coping with stress. Working with professionals and learning from peers can help you find your most effective coping mechanisms for navigating stress, doubt, and much more.
- Communication Strategies for Families and Support: It is normal to want to avoid difficult conversation topics. However, talking about personal needs, goals, and challenges can help you overcome these hurdles without returning to the use of drugs or alcohol. Practicing effective communication with family members can also empower them to be more effective, active supports in your recovery journey, helping to prevent relapse and make necessary changes to manage stress and further develop these important relationships.
Developing a Personal Relapse Prevention Program
Your relapse prevention program will be unique, and there is never a “one-size-fits-all” approach to anything in addiction recovery. However, this also gives you the agency to take control of your healing. Exploring personal options and creating your own set of skills to address your unique challenges, stresses, and needs is the best way to both prevent relapse and make the most of your daily sober life.
For some, these personal relapse prevention plans may include medication-assisted treatment. While medication is not a replacement for therapy and personalized care, options like naltrexone, methadone, or buprenorphine, while under the supervision of professionals, can provide an additional layer of support to overcome personal challenges and explore lasting change.
Ongoing and Aftercare Support
Your recovery does not end at our walls. While relapse is most common during the earliest stages of recovery, such as during alcohol or drug withdrawal, nobody is immune to stress or relapse at any stage. Even successful alumni can still experience urges and cravings that can impact their sobriety and resilience. Hawaii Island Recovery understands that genuine sober life is a lifelong journey, and we offer ongoing outpatient care and aftercare options to help you continue to focus on your sober healing and journey.
From outpatient treatment to virtual care options, you are never left without support or isolated at any stage of your recovery. We are always one call away, ready to help you not just celebrate accomplishments in sobriety, but address new stresses and challenges as they arise for a sustainable sober life.
Peer Support and Mentorship
We also believe in the healing potential of community and working with peers to truly embrace the healing culture and community of a sober lifestyle. Peer support, especially in dedicated LGBTQ+ programs and veterans programs at Hawaii Island Recovery, can give you the understanding and sense of belonging necessary to maintain sober change. Peers who have overcome challenges or experienced relapse can be amazing resources for your sober journey, with community, mentorship, and camaraderie being a part of Hawaii’s healing energy and spirit.
Meet Your Treatment Team
Stephen H. Denzer, M.D., FACP
Medical Director | Board Certified in Addiction and Internal Medicine
Frank Capatch, LCSW
Clinical Director & Lead Therapist
Fernando Manon, MSED., CSAC
Therapist
David Molletti, BS, NCACI, CFTP
Operations Coordinator and Family Therapist
