But relapses don’t just happen. It takes some time to get to that point, and typically there are signs to warn you that you may be headed for your bad habits again. Knowing what leads to a relapse is the best way to prevent them before they occur. Your behavior will change gradually rather than dramatically at the beginning of a relapse. A few of the ways you can tell if a relapse is imminent include:

• Skipping your recovery or support meetings
• Rationalizing your addiction or thinking that life was better then
• Hanging out with old friends you used to drink or use with
• Frequently thinking about drinking, using, or whatever else the addiction was

If you begin to notice these signs, a few things you can do include:

• Call your sponsor. If you are in a program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Gamblers Anonymous, you will most likely have a sponsor. Part of his or her job is to help you through these rough patches and remember why you wanted to quit in the first place. If you don’t have a sponsor, call a supportive friend or family member.
• Do something do distract yourself. Make a list of things you can do instead when you’re tempted to relapse, and turn to the list before you start using again. This can include working out or going for a walk, watching a movie, playing with your children, hanging out with friends, or anything else.

Relapses can be prevented if you know what to watch out for.

Some of the things to ask yourself when choosing a treatment program include:

What is their philosophy on addiction?
Some treatment centers believe addiction is the result of a biological issue; others believe it is behavioral. Make sure their philosophy is in line with your own.

Are they accredited/licensed?
The facility or program as well as the staff should be licensed, accredited, and experienced in handling substance abuse rehabilitation.

What does the treatment plan include?
Knowing what the treatment plan includes, such as whether or not there is a detox or the type of therapy given, will help you not only know what to expect, but also whether or not it is something you can live with for the duration of the program.

Are they qualified to care for a dual diagnosis?
Many people with addictions also have other illnesses or problems in addition, such as depression, schizophrenia, or an eating disorder. If you fall into this category, the program you choose should be prepared to address and handle it.

Do they have an aftercare program?
A good facility should have an aftercare program or refer you to a support group or counselor that can help you transition back into daily life after your treatment and learn coping techniques to prevent a relapse.

Are they accommodating to my schedule?
Is the program inpatient or outpatient? If outpatient, look to see if they flexible with your obligations to work, family, school, and so forth.

In addition, it’s also a good idea to tour the facility or ask for references. The treatment you choose is an important decision, and you should put a lot of thought and research into it.

Some types of substance abuse treatment include:

Residential treatment centers. A residential treatment center provides intensive therapy that includes detoxification as well as counseling and group therapy. Because residents live at the facility and are closely monitored, they are not faced with the temptation of old friends or drugs and alcohol.

Outpatient treatment centers. This type of treatment occurs on an outpatient basis, where the patient has appointments to help with drug treatment. While this is a good idea if the patient has work, school, or family obligations, it’s difficult because the patient still has access to situations and substances that could cause a relapse.

Detox programs. This type of program occurs under the supervision of medical professionals and includes weaning the body off of the substance they are addicted to, which helps to alleviate the physical cravings for the drug. Many treatment programs require patients to go through detox before they begin therapy or treatment.

Counseling. Counseling works to get to the root problem of the addiction and helps patients find alternatives to coping with their addiction. Often, addiction can be the result of depression or other underlying problems. Counseling may help by providing treatment for these problems as well.

Support programs. Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, offer a group therapy setting to help recovering addicts deal with situations and provide support and treatment tips. They frequently include a sponsor, or someone who has successfully overcome an addiction, to provide more personalized support over the course of their recovery.

These are just a few of the different types of treatments and facilities for substance abuse.