HALT for Relapse Prevention

You’ve been sober for a while now but using again sounds more tempting with each passing day.

Maybe you’re facing triggers without the right coping skills or you’re having a tough time with a particularly challenging day. HALT is one of the most effective relapse prevention techniques to count on at this difficult time. HALT stands for hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. It is a self-assessment guide that can help you gain better control of your emotions in the moment and develop greater coping skills to prevent relapse.

If you are struggling with thoughts of relapse, reach out for help today. Our team at Banyan Boca can help you with relapse prevention support and guidance. Call 888-280-4763 to connect with our team.

How HALT Helps Control Triggers and Curb Relapse

Ask any member of our drug rehab alumni group, staying on track in recovery can be difficult. Triggers are everywhere, especially in early recovery or around difficult anniversaries and holidays. HALT is a coping skill that helps prevent relapse, control triggers, and meet needs. To use HALT for relapse prevention, when you’re feeling a trigger for relapse or the temptation to use again, you need to stop and HALT. Step back and assess each aspect of HALT:

• Hungry – are you hungry? Are you figuratively hungry for company or interaction? Finding out what you’re hungry for and satiating that hunger with sober-minded sources can help.
• Angry – are you angry? Are you acting on your anger or acting with anger? Recognizing anger’s power over you helps to break free from the destruction of anger. Meditate, reach out to your sponsor, or pray to refocus and mitigate your angry.
• Lonely – are you lonely? loneliness can be overwhelming in early recovery when you are building sober friendship networks. If you have difficulty reaching out or connecting with others, your loneliness is likely compounded. Reach out to your sponsor, alumni network, or your family. Your religious groups can also support you at this time.
• Tired – are you tired? Exhaustion can cloud vision. If you have not rested or recharged in some time, your exhaustion may be greater than you realize. Establishing a routine sleep schedule and ensuring you get enough sleep every night can help.

HALT for relapse prevention is an effective technique that can be used as a self-assessment or daily. Daily, make sure that you are meeting the pillars of HALT by keeping a regular sleeping schedule, eating healthy meals, staying in contact with friends, and meditating or praying.

---

For more guidance on HALT, contact our Banyan Boca team at 888-280-4763 to get the addiction treatment in Boca Raton you need for lasting sobriety.