How does relapse occur

A one-time return to drug or alcohol use does not necessarily mean that all of the hard work that was completed in recovery was in vain or that it somehow is now lost forever. The tools and the coping mechanisms that were learned in inpatient or outpatient rehab are still just as relevant and important as they were previously.

Even so, people who continue through the relapse cycle have a choice to make. For those who choose the first option, many professionals refrain from calling their drug or alcohol use relapse and instead will refer to it as a slip. They include:.

Getting treatment for your addiction means refocusing your efforts on the recovery process. Talking with a professional can help you evaluate the situations, activities or events that led to your slip or relapse and it can reinforce the importance of maintaining your coping skills and new lifestyle.

It can also help you learn how to prevent a relapse or slip from happening down the road. With the right support from a qualified professional or treatment team, you can enjoy the freedom and the journey of recovery.

If you would like to talk with us about your drug or alcohol addiction, please contact us. With just 30 days at a rehab center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings.

No matter how diligently you pursue your recovery or how committed you are to lifelong sobriety, there is a chance you will relapse at some point. After a relapse, many people experience feelings of shame or regret.

Furthermore, you may feel like giving up the fight and giving into your addiction rather than continuing to work hard and overcome the fleeting desire to use. These are normal, but can create challenges to creating a drug-free life. Instead, use this relapse as a learning tool; clarify your relapse prevention plan and identify your triggers.

By digging deeper into the root cause of the relapse, you will lay the foundation for a recovery that will ensure you bounce back stronger than ever. Relapse after a period of sobriety is an unfortunately common occurrence. Approximately half of all recovering addicts experience a temporary moment of weakness that results in picking up drugs or alcohol again.

Knowing some of the red flags can help you avoid this. Remembering to have a support group of family and friends can help keep you focused on healing.

They can provide stable foundation and encourage discipline or compassion needed in this time. Make a Call The first step is to determine whether you need to go back to rehab. This offers the patient hands on treatment and ongoing supervision. Palm Beach Shores, FL. View Center. Boca Raton, FL. If you find yourself talking about using substances, hang out with people who encourage you to drink, or fall back into substance abuse to cope, this is a sign of a bigger problem needing immediate treatment.

If I could do this, anyone could. I almost died, almost went back to jail, almost lost everything [that] I worked so hard to protect. But you can make it back. I did. Upon returning to treatment, this time should have a deeper emphasis on therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy CBT , which has been successful in teaching recovering addicts new behavioral responses to distorted thinking.

Just like any other chronic illness, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, addiction is a relapsing disorder. This means that, just as a person with cancer or heart disease may have a relapse of symptoms of their illness, a substance use disorder may also relapse, or return to drug and alcohol use. Although it is a common part of the illness, relapse can be an upsetting, and potentially dangerous, experience.

It is possible to overcome this setback and achieve recovery again. Relapse after a period of sobriety is caused by a variety of factors that affect each person differently, including:. There are likely certain people, places, and things that create the urge to drink or use drugs again. Some examples include:. Going to a bar, night club, or party where alcohol and drugs are present.

Seeing objects associated with substance use, such as a pipe or wine glass. For many people in recovery, there are thoughts, emotions, and untreated behavioral health needs that make them more vulnerable to relapse. These include:. Negative or upsetting emotions, like anger, fear, resentment, and self-doubt.