10 Most Common Reasons For Addiction Relapse: Family Addiction Specialist: Addiction Counselor

Not treating a dual diagnosis — Often, a mental or behavioral health issue exists alongside an addiction, called a dual diagnosis. Many people with a mental or behavioral health issue will self-medicate, which leads to addiction. If you don’t treat the issue, you are more likely to relapse in an attempt to feel better. Relapse prevention therapy was developed over 40 years ago by G. Accepting that relapse is a normal part of the process of recovery is a more helpful way of looking at relapse. Sometimes people will cycle through the stages several times before quitting.

In mental health, it would involve the return of symptoms after a period of recovery. By taking proactive steps and understanding the stages of relapse, you and your loved ones can prevent a relapse from occurring or becoming dangerous.

Tips for What to Do After Relapse Occurs

You can remind yourself that one relapse doesn’t dictate your future. Alcohol support groups you can join whenever you need some extra support. Having people to help “talk you through it” can be instrumental in deterring a physical relapse.

• When you find yourself avoiding problems, or you stop doing healthy self-care activities, you might be on your way to a relapse.
• From additional stress at work, breaking up with a spouse or partner, or succumbing to a lack of motivation after expending extreme effort attempting to stay sober.
• These emotions can be both positive and negative, happy, and sad.
• If you or someone you love is experiencing a substance use disorder, help is available.
• Relapse does not have to end your life in recovery but can build you up stronger for the next chapter.
• If you have relapsed, spend some time ensuring that your priorities are where you want them to be.

In order to understand how to prevent relapse, it is essential to first understand the relapse process itself. Relapse isn’t a sudden event; it is a process that occurs over a period of time which can range from weeks to even months. Relapses can also occur in physical health and mental health conditions. In a health condition, it would involve the return of disease symptoms.

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After my wife putting up with my using and lying for 7 months and trying to be there for me she decided that it was in her best interest to take my daughter and stay with a friend for a awhile. I’m really horrified and embarrassed at how one glass of wine has quickly turned into an all day binge. I had over 9 years absent from alcohol and had a drink 5 days ago. I am very depressed and do feel like throwing the towel in.I am struggling but trying to get back on track. Wear your clean time like a badge of honour, something I never did. I’m finding coming back from 3 and a half years abstinence almost impossible.

Speak to your counselor or therapist about putting together an effective relapse prevention plan to avoid returning to use. If you’ve been using for some time, it might be best to speak to an addiction specialist to plan on reentering treatment or possibly detox. Once you’re aware of these stages, you may be able to prevent the physical relapse by identifying the early warning signs. Physical relapse may be one drink or drug or could be the sustained use of substances over a period of time. My boyfriend went to rehab in June, he had 6 months and then last Friday I suspected for the first time he obviously denied it. Today I suspected and actually found a bottle so I know I was right.

The Damaging Emotional Impact of Relapse

Do not let shame stop you from reaching out to your support network. what to do after a relapse Being alone is not how to deal with relapse in recovery.

• They will probably tell you that they felt like they failed, too.
• Freelapse refers to when someone accidentally uses drugs or alcohol, doing so unintentionally.
• This cycle of repeated relapse is dangerous because it takes a toll on the individual’s health , sense of self-worth, and whatever healthy, positive relationships remain in his or her life.
• You didn’t relapse because you were doing the next right thing each day.
• Engage in holistic recovery related behaviors and surround yourself with likeminded individuals who care about your wellbeing.

Someone who abused drugs for many years before finally getting treatment will generally have a harder time maintaining their sobriety than someone who abused drugs for one year. When those with a history of alcohol use disorder relapse, they often keep drinking, feeling that there is no point in stopping since they already slipped up. But continuing to drink will make it much harder to stop, leading to a renewed entrenchment in your addiction. Maintaining a hopeful outlook, understanding relapse triggers, and building a support system can help you rebound from an alcohol relapse.