It is not uncommon for individuals who are struggling with an addiction of some kind to have one or more relapses during the recovery process. What is a relapse? It is a progressive process where a recovering addict becomes so abnormal or dysfunctional that self-medication with drugs or alcohol seems like the best alternative.
For people in recovery, going back to alcohol or drug use is the worst thing they can do. The damage caused by a return to substance abuse after a period of abstinence is usually more than the initial damage caused by drug abuse or excessive alcohol use. Most people with an addiction are able to garner the strength to beat their dependence, but some rapidly fall back to unhealthy habits.
Relapse to alcohol or drug abuse does not mean treatment has failed.Addiction is a chronic condition. A return to substance abuse at some point during recovery is not only possible but in fact quite likely. If an individual goes back to using after rehab, it simply means treatment needs to be reinstated or adjusted or a new therapy needs to be tried. Read on to find out how to prevent a drug relapse by recognizing the triggers and symptoms.
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Relapse Definition: Understanding Return to Substance AbuseAbuse Vs Addiction Worksheets
Drug and alcohol dependence is a chronic disease that cannot be cured but can be managed. The key feature of any chronic condition is the potential for it to return. Therefore, a return to alcohol or drug use is similar to the recurrence of a chronic health issue. During the addiction recovery process, a return to substance abuse is typically provoked by exposure to risk factors that trigger unhealthy behaviors.
It is not uncommon for a recovering addict to go back to drinking alcohol or using drugs. Relapse rates for drug addiction are 40 to 60 percent, comparable to other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. In fact, many experts believe this is a part of recovery. Although relapses cannot always be avoided, they can be prevented by taking certain precautions.
Relapses are not random events, but rather they are a process. Recovery and relapse are interlinked. Exposure to certain risk factors increases the chances of re-using alcohol or drugs. Some people are more likely to return to substance abuse after stopping it for some time. These people find it difficult to avoid previous habits. If this becomes a recurrent pattern, it can linger for a lifetime in some addicts.
The good news is a return to use is not the end of the story. It is possible to build a better life after one or more relapses. An individual who has begun using again can re-establish the recovery process and succeed in staying clean of the substance they previously abused.
It is important for recovering addicts to understand that alcohol and drug relapses are not completely avoidable. However, taking certain necessary steps of drug relapse prevention can reduce the risk of further troubles with substance abuse.
Stages of Addiction Relapse
A relapse is a setback on the road to recovery. It does not occur suddenly or automatically. It is a not a single event. Rather, it is a gradual process that occurs over a period of time. There are a number of warning signs in the early stages. If caught in time, the return to sobriety is much easier. Addicts find it much more difficult to recover from a full-blown return to substance abuse. So, understanding the rules of recovery and identifying the early warning symptoms can help prevent recurrent substance abuse problems. The stages of relapse are as follows:
Emotional
This typically begins weeks to months before the actual physical return to using drugs or alcohol. Illicit substances provide a temporary relief from life’s problems. Once sober, addicts must learn to cope with life stressors through techniques learned during rehab. However, emotions can easily sneak up during this difficult time. Anger, disappointment, rejection, and stress can set the stage for a return to using. It is important to process these feelings by talking to someone, writing down thoughts, meditating, listening to music, and focusing on the big picture. Reaching out to a counselor or relapse prevention group is also a good coping skill at this stage.
Mental
During this stage, addicts find themselves fantasizing about drug use, rationalizing use, bargaining mentally, or planning use in advance. This stage is characterized by falling back to the same destructive thought patterns that led to substance abuse in the first place. Fleeting thoughts about using again are common, but if left unchecked, they can activate the brain’s addictive centers and intensify cravings. It is common for recovering addicts at this stage to tell lies, minimize consequences, romanticize past use, skip therapy sessions, and detach from loved ones. These are risky behaviors but physical relapse is still avoidable at this stage if the individual or their family and friends recognize what is happening and take action. It helps to burn off some energy by exercising, change the environment to take the mind off cravings, and share feelings with a support group or sponsor.
Physical
At this stage, an addict has actually returned to substance abuse. This is the final step in a process that probably began weeks or months before. All is not lost, however. It is simply another challenge to overcome. If a recovering alcoholic or drug user has done it before, they can do it again. Feelings of anger, disappointment, helplessness, and shame are common at this stage. It is important for the addict to forgive themselves, but not forget. It is critical to identify the triggers that caused the return to use. Lastly, the recovering substance abuser must seek professional help once more to get back on track.
Addiction Relapse Symptoms
Addiction recovery is a long process. The duration of rehab for drugs and alcohol depends on the severity of the problem. Drug relapse statistics show that about 8 out of 10 people return to substance abuse within a year of treatment. In fact, within weeks to months of starting treatment, more than 6 out of 10 people in recovery start using again. While these relapse statistics may be discouraging, it is possible to nip the problem in the bud.
A good relapse prevention program helps individuals identify the early signs of a return to use and learn techniques to cope with them. Recognizing relapse symptoms is critical to reducing the risk of returning to drug addiction.
What are some common signs of relapse? Identifying the warning signs is a key element of a drug relapse prevention program. These signs and symptoms include:
Triggers for Relapse to Drugs and Alcohol
A relapse trigger is a stimulus that initiates the desire to return to addictive behavior. These triggers prompt an individual to engage in destructive behavior or use the substance they previously abused.
Triggers are usually memories associated with prior addictive behaviors. The trigger for a recovering addict could be a person, place, thing, or emotion. It could be a person they interacted with in the past or a place they spent time when they were using drugs. An emotional situation or stress at work can prompt a return to alcoholism or illicit substance use. Addicts must develop coping skills for these common drug use triggers:
Recovering addicts should avoid these triggers as much as possible. Learning to identify triggers and manage the cravings they induce is a critical component of relapse prevention.
Drug Relapse vs Slip: Are They the Same Thing?
Both a slip and a relapse are a setback in the recovery process for people with an addiction. However, they differ in the impact they have on the individual’s life. How is a slip different from a relapse?
A slip is a single event in which a person returns to alcohol or drug use after a period of sobriety but stops use almost immediately. A slip is characterized by a momentary return to former behavior, after which the person quickly realizes their mistake, comes to their senses, and gets back on track in the addiction recovery process.
A relapse is a gradual process and is more serious than a slip. It indicates a person has returned to former addictive behavior. It occurs over a period of time, beginning initially with a slip but then progressing over days to weeks to a full-blown return to use. Somewhere along the way, the individual completely abandons the plan to overcome addiction.
The individual can quickly return to their previous state of mind and behavior. If left untreated, the person may not have another chance to give up alcohol or drugs. So, the million-dollar question is how to prevent drug relapse from occurring?
Relapse Prevention Plans: Staying Clean After Rehab
Relapses are a part of the addiction recovery process. No one is immune to them. They are to be expected during drug and alcohol rehab. The important thing to remember is that it is possible to recover from a relapse. One simply needs an effective, comprehensive relapse prevention plan worksheet.
How to prevent a return to substance abuse? A good relapse prevention plan outline includes:
An effective relapse prevention plan example is given below:
Recovery behaviors which should be practiced on a daily basis before there is any sign of trouble:
High-risk situations that can trigger slips and relapses:
Early warning signs that should be recognized and addressed:
It is a good idea to make a relapse prevention plan ahead of time. This should include strategies to cope with particular situations and get the individual back on track. An effective program has two main components:
Substance Abuse Vs Addiction Worksheets
Learning about relapse and preventing it is one thing, but actually doing it is another. Yet, it is not impossible with a strong will to quit and deal with setbacks such as slips and relapses. Stay strong. Stay positive. That’s the only way to beat addiction, prevent relapse, and enjoy life to the fullest.
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If you or someone you love could benefit from a relapse prevention plan, call our free helpline (888)-459-5511 for more information on finding the best treatment. Advisors are available to answer your questions, give you more information on preventing drug and alcohol relapse, and direct you towards the resources you need to stay sober and clean. Calls are always confidential and secure.
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Slick Recovery Worksheet The Voice of Addiction Worksheet
How do you know if you have developed an unhealthy habit or if you are actually suffering from addiction? Determining the difference between the two can be difficult, since both grow out of repeated behaviors. Given the difference in scope and treatment, though, it is important to distinguish between a troublesome habit and addiction.
One notable difference between habit and the disease of addiction is the amount of time and effort required to change the behavior. Altering habits requires minimal effort, time, and attention.
Addiction, on the other hand, often demands an integrative, long-term plan to treat physical symptoms like withdrawal as well as the emotional disconnect between body and behavior.
There is an ongoing debate among experts about whether the abuse of drinking and drugs represents the development of troublesome habitual behavior or addiction. As a human being, you are naturally drawn to habitual patterns because repetition creates familiarity and comfort. Positive habits can even become tools of survival.
Sometimes, however, habitual behaviors take a dark turn and develop into addictions. Recovery requires that you honestly assess your behavior and how it affects your health, relationships, job, spirituality, and life to understand the difference between habit and addiction.
Addiction recovery that’s built to lastHabit Vs. Addiction: A Checklist
Consider these questions regarding your drug or alcohol use:
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you likely suffer from addiction.
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A habit is a learned and ingrained association between a stimulus (or incentive) and a response (or behavioral reaction) manifested consciously or subconsciously to achieve a goal.
Addiction is more complex. The disease of substance abuse manifests symptoms of intense craving, loss of impulse control, and behavioral flexibility. Addictions are physiologically developed and reinforced in the brain each time we use drugs or alcohol with the underlying desire to escape discomfort or endure emotional turmoil. Pleasure-seeking patterns such as drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes can create neural pathways in your brain, connecting the relief of negative emotions like stress and depression with craving and impulsive desire.
While harmless in moderation, any behavior that successfully, consistently, and physiologically numbs or “quiets” emotion, trauma, or depression can develop into an addiction.
Both habit and addiction involve the relationship of cause and effect, but intermittent reinforcement is a common thread among all addictions. Although you can’t always predict the outcome of your behavior, you continue to come back for more.
Unlike a habit like brushing teeth, the addict has almost no control over his or her desire to repeatedly engage in the addiction. Even when addictive substance abuse negatively affects your relationships, job, and health, you are unable to stop the behavior.
Diagnosing Addiction
Because it can be difficult to recognize the underlying source that drives these negative behaviors, diagnosing addiction can be challenging. Understanding the difference between a bad habit and addiction is key.
If a behavior is negatively affecting your life and happiness, it seems obvious that you should stop, right? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. If you live with addiction, stopping on your own will feel next to impossible. The physical withdrawal symptoms and period of emotional transition most often require support and an integrated treatment plan.
Addiction is a life-threatening illness. It is critical to seek professional help.
Do you believe that you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol or drug addiction? If your answer is yes or you want to know more, please call an addiction specialist at JourneyPure At The River to seek expert advice regarding your situation.
JourneyPure Can Help
If you or a loved one suffers from addiction, please contact JourneyPure At The River today. We offer medically-assisted detox services, individual and group counseling, and experiential therapies. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready for you to get healthy and stay healthy.
Learning to Manage Fear in Recovery
When people give up abusing alcohol and drugs it does not mean that their trials in life are over. They are still going to have to deal with the ups and downs of life just like everyone else. The only difference will be that they won’t be hiding from reality or making things worse through substance abuse. One of the things that people in recovery are almost certain to face is fear. It is unavoidable. Those who are emotionally sober are no longer interested in hiding from fear. Their focus is on learning to manage it effectively.
Fear Defined
Fear can be defined as a distressing emotion aroused by impending pain or danger. The trigger for this emotion can be real or imaginary, and it may or may not be rational. When people feel fear, they may go into panic mode. This means that they are unable to think clearly or make good decisions. It is usual to view fear as a negative emotion, but it can also be highly beneficial, as it helps to keep humans out of danger.
Fear and Addiction
Fear can keep people trapped in addiction. The individual may have the clarity to see how much the substance abuse is destroying their life, but the idea of leaving their misery behind frightens them. This is because there is comfort in the familiar even when the familiar is far from ideal. People who are trapped in addiction can develop the idea that their life is as good as it can get. They can imagine that a life in sobriety is dull and unsatisfying. They are frightened by the idea of facing life without alcohol and drugs. It can all seem like a great deal of work with no real reward.
Common Fears in Recovery
These are some of most common fears for people in recovery:
* The fear that life will not be enjoyable again (particularly prominent during early sobriety)
* Staying sober will require too much effort * Fear of journeying into unknown territory * Fear of facing life challenges without a chemical crutch * Fear of failure or, alternately, success * Financial concerns * Career concerns * Relationships concerns * Fear of death. * Fear of ill-health * Fear of loss of a loved one Fear of Getting Better in Recovery
People can be afraid of getting better in recovery. This is because so much of their identity has been wrapped up in their addiction. It can be impossible for people to imagine a life where substance abuse is no longer so important to them. The idea of a person who is happy and sober can be a bit frightening. It is so different to the individual’s current circumstances. It can feel like they need to give away their current identity in order to become a stranger. Getting better is undoubtedly a step into the unknown and it does take courage to press forward into sobriety.
Dangers of Fear in Recovery
It is natural for people to experience a bit of fear in their life. It can make them cautious and ensure that they make better decisions. Excessive fear in recovery can for the following reasons:
* Too much fear prevents people from taking needed action. This can easily lead to relapse.
* Excessive fear prevents people from thinking clearly, leading them to make poor decisions. * Fear can lead to stress and this can damage people physically and mentally. * Fear can be used as a justification for a relapse. * A person who is full of fear will feel unsatisfied in recovery. * Fear can stop the individual from developing emotional sobriety. How to Deal with Fear in Recovery
It is probably not possible to make it through life without occasionally having to face fear. What people can do is become better at managing this emotion. This can be achieved in the following ways:
* In order to overcome fears the individual needs to be willing to face them. This means launching an investigation into exactly what it is they are afraid of.
* People can use relaxation techniques to prevent fear from turning to panic. These techniques for stress reduction can also help prevent people become sick if they are dealing with a great deal of turmoil in their life. * Mindfulness meditation is a wonderful technique that allows people to observer their fears more objectively. The individual can learn to view fears as just a reaction in their mind that can be controlled. * The old saying a problem shared is a problem halved is certainly true when it comes to fears. Sometimes just taking about these concerns can make all the difference. * Keeping a journal gives the individual the chance to get their fears down on paper. This makes it easier to analyze them and find a solution for them. * Those individuals who belong to one of the 12 Step fellowships will be able to discuss their fears with a sponsor or in the meetings. * Taking a more positive view of fear can be helpful when dealing with it. Instead of viewing this emotion as the enemy it can be seen as a helpful guide in life. * Sometimes deliberately facing a fear can be an effective approach. If the individual has phobic symptoms surrounding the fear, this should be done with the help of a professional. * If people find that fear is interfering with their ability to find happiness in recovery, then it may be necessary to spend time with a therapist. This professional will be able to help the individual get to the root of their fears. Comments are closed.
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