Author: Jamie Staggs
Relapse is a term to describe a recovering addict who slips
back into drug or alcohol use. Relapse can begin to occur
long before the person takes that sip of alcohol or that
hit. Below are some common warning signs that a relapse is
eminent.
Warning Signs of a Relapse
1. The recovering substance abuser continues to be around
drugs or alcohol, other users, or places where they once
bought or used drugs or alcohol.
2. The recovering addict is consistently angry, sad,
lonely, fearful or anxious.
3. The recovering addict feels bored without drugs.
4. The recovering addict is going through some physical
pain.
5. The recovering addict continues to talk about drugs or
enjoys listening to others' drug use stories.
6. The recovering addict believes they no longer feel
controlled by or have to worry about drug cravings, so they
are allowed to indulge in drug or alcohol use occasionally.
The decision to quit using drugs or alcohol is only the
first step towards addiction recovery. This does not mean
that the addict's problems will vanish as soon as they stop
using drugs. On the contrary, those problems will remain
with them through the recovery process. They will need to
find other ways to manage these problems without masking
them with drugs or alcohol. They may be excited about the
possibilities of beginning anew, while saddened by the old
life they must leave behind. Recovery is a very confusing
and trying time for an addict and can make them question
whether they have what it takes to succeed in their quest
for sobriety.
Avoiding a Relapse
It is during this critical phase that a recovering addict
is most susceptible to relapsing on drugs. To avoid
relapsing on drugs or alcohol, a recovering addict should
take pains to put preventative measures into place.
1. Take day-to-day problems as they come. A recovering
addict should never sweep daily problems under the rug, but
should confront them head-on, the way they did addiction.
2. Balance work with relaxation. To avoid stress, a
recovering addict should allow themselves simple and
relaxing rewards such as time to indulge in a hobby or read
a book.
3. Join a support group. A recovering addict should join a
recovery group or find a counselor or trusted friend or
family member to share the pressures they are feeling while
struggling with recovery.
4. Plan for risky situations. It is almost inevitable that
the recovering addict will someday find themselves in a
situation where drugs or alcohol are present and they badly
want to use them. By knowing about these situations ahead
of time, the recovering addict will be more likely to
successfully avoid a relapse.
While nobody can control everything in life, or manage
every situation the way they intended to, by having a plan
in place a recovering addict increases their chances of
living a successful drug-free life. While they may slip and
indulge in drugs or alcohol, it is important that they not
use this slip as an excuse to plunge back in to drug
addiction. Rather, they should learn from this slip to
avoid having the same situation happen in the future.
About the Author:
Jastaplace Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers.
For more information regarding drug and alcohol treatment
please visit our website at
http://www.Action-Drug-Rehab.
