Spring Break 2022 is officially over, which means many in recovery had to navigate the dangers of Spring Break drinking and alcohol relapse. Millions of college students and young adults, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Nashville, TN to Washington, DC to Austin, TX and everywhere else in the country, were looking to blow off steam after two-plus years of COVID weirdness.

For most, Spring Break 2022 will remain an isolated moment in their lives when they were able to let loose for a bit and put their week of debauchery in a time capsule never to be opened again; for others, it will represent a flashpoint when they realized their drinking or drug use is out of control; and for those in recovery, it may have meant a heightened level of risk and vulnerability to relapse from alcohol and drugs. If you or your loved one are in recovery, and find that you have relapsed during Spring Break, you’re not alone, but you do need help. Here are some tips to get it.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up…Pick Yourself Up

Relapse is a common part of recovery. The National Institute on Drug Abuse puts average rates for relapse from alcohol and drug addiction at between 40 and 60 percent, on par with other chronic conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure. Translation: you’re not alone and maintaining recovery is hard. Instead of fixating on how you’ve “failed” or how you’re a “lost cause”, contextualize the incident for what it is (a one-time slip) and make a plan for your next course of treatment and recovery.

Tell A Friend or Loved One about Your Alcohol Relapse

Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Do not try to keep your relapse a secret from the people who can help you. The first thing you should do after you realize you’ve had a slip is alert someone who is familiar with your situation and is empowered to help, whether it’s your sponsor, a trusted friend, a family member or your therapist. They will not only offer emotional support and comfort; they will also help you navigate your way back to treatment and work with you to get you into a program.

Think About How It Happened But Don’t Obsess

Self-awareness is a key part of the recovery process, and it’s important to be honest with yourself about the factors that contributed to your slip. Spend some time thinking about the series of events that led to your relapse and apply the coping skills you learned in treatment. These techniques were tailored just for you; and are specific to your thoughts, fears, strengths, emotions and vulnerabilities. You can, and should, rely on them when things get tough and difficult. It’s always a good time to check in with yourself.

Go to A Meeting

You may not be the first person in your meeting group to experience a Spring Break relapse, and you’re definitely not the first person to experience a general relapse from alcohol. If you go to a regular meeting, these are the people who are most in tune with what you’re going through. They can offer informed perspective, fellowship and emotional guidance when you need it the most. Your meeting is a safe space free from judgment and full of the support you need when things get rough. Your fellow group members will be able to help you process the experience and offer their own insights.

Get Back into Treatment

Getting back into treatment isn’t “overkill” or “dramatic”; it’s a means to regain control, rework your recovery and reconnect with the core tenets of your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Make the necessary arrangements, allow yourself the time to heal and give yourself every opportunity to heal, you’re not in this alone. There is no judgment in treatment. You can learn to forgive yourself while you’re in your program, no matter how bad things get.

Recovery Unplugged is Ready to Help You Move on From Your Spring Break Alcohol Relapse

As an addiction treatment organization headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, one of the nation’s most visited Spring Break destinations, Recovery Unplugged has seen the impact of Spring Break alcohol relapse. We offer comprehensive treatment programs that include drug and alcohol detox and withdrawal management, compassionate and effective behavioral rehab and customized care. Recovery Unplugged is in-network with most major insurance companies, and we’re determined to make your slip-up a one-time incident so you can pick up the pieces and move on with your life.

Your alcohol relapse doesn’t have to define your recovery experience or your life. The admissions representatives at Recovery Unplugged are ready to help you get the help you need so you can back to recovery. Contact us today to start your treatment. You’re going to get through this.