What's the best way to avoid relapse when you've been clean for over a year?

Have an accountability partner. a friend, a family member, a therapist, a youth leader, a listener, anyone who can check on you for updates and support you.

Relapses are normal parts of the healing process. The urges will only last for a little while. Try closing your eyes, say "5 more minutes", and after that do it again until the urges go away. Think "I've gotten so far, I don't want to reset the progress I've made". Try to distract your mind with something such as hobbies, exercise, watch a movie. You can actively talk to listeners here to get out what you need in order to stay somewhat healthy. Avoid hurtful situations that can trigger these urges, don't allow negativity in your life because you've come so far and you deserve to be happy. I hope this helped a little, good luck! I believe in you.

Avoid the thing you're clean from as much as possible. If you start feeling the urge to start again, distract yourself (with music, a movie, exercise, etc.) until that feeling goes away!

keep yourself distracted if you dont wanna relapse remind yourself constantly that you dont wanna fall back into old habits, stay away from people that are beginning to trigger you.

Keep a healthy and clean life style have at least two Hobbies to keep you distracted of these influences.

Try to find something that keeps you distracted, gives you energy and focuses your attention on it. For example, sports or a hobby which you enjoy doing can increase your mental health immensely. As soon as you start to feel that you may relapse, talk to a close friend who knows you and your situation and tell them how you feel. Set your emotions free in a way that can't hurt you, cry, scream, write your feelings down. Take a shower or a bath and try to stay calm. You are searching a permanent "solution" not a temporary which in the end, only makes you feel worse. You can go through this.

realise why you stopped in the first place, and then think of the reaction of your family and friends would be if you left this earth

One way to avoid a relapse is to contact someone you trust for support like a close friend, relative, therapist, or sponsor.

Face daily activities and join in events stay focused remember why you want a better life and keep pushing one foot in front of the other

Remind yourself how far you've come and think of all the reasons you stopped. Avoid triggers (images, conversations). try meditative and relaxing exercises.

Throw out your blades and think how proud of yourself you are for managing that incredible achievement. Do something you love to forget about the urge to self-harm again.

Continue to avoid temptations that lead you to the addiction in the first place. This will help you

The best way to avoid a relapse when you have been clean for any amount of time is to re focus your attention on why it is you became clean in the first place. If that point is no longer relevant to you, think on why you stayed clean. There was a reason to start your issue, as there was a reason to change your situation. If your afraid you are reversing and may relapse, take a big deep breath and checklist those reasons - and make new ones! Every day you spend clean is a new reason to celebrate because every day we are given is a gift. A new sunshine, a new breeze, a new smile. Re group, re focus, Reason.

Honestly, no one method works for every person. The important thing is to be cognizant of your behaviors and to avoid actions, feelings, and emotional states that were closely tied with whatever drug or negative behavior that previously occurred. Understanding how to deal with these emotions or behaviors allows you to create a better plan to avoid relapse.

I feel like the best way to avoid relapsing is to keep yourself occupied and find something to distract you from wanting it. Like to refrain from self harming, go on a walk and listen to music, enjoy the outdoors. And overtime that might eventually become a habit.

Continue what you have been doing for that year. There is a reason why it was so successful in the first place

I find that the urge to self harm doesn't leave once you've do it. It comes and goes like waves, the best thing to do is remove everything you can that can lead to self harm. Have an accountability partner, someone you trust to check up on you and give reward for good behavior and punishments for bad ( ex: treating you to your favorite food or take away treats for a time being) the key is to reward good behavior and celebrate achievements while at the same time communicating the repercussions of bad.

I think that each person has his/her own journey to take and so if you are really wanting to avoid a relapse first you have to know how amazing that is for you to want to better yourself, but you have to do it for you, not for your friends and family, but for you. you have to learn to love yourself and love taking care of yourself. I also think surrounding yourself with the people who support and care for you is very important, you have to build a support system that you know would never judge you, this doesn't have to be family or close friends, it could be a group you are recently attending. Also filling your time doing things you love so you don't get bored and lonely can be very helpful at times!