In the world of addiction to substances like drugs, alcohol and even food, relapse is a common problem. According to Relapse-Prevention,org, 54 percent of drug and alcohol addicts will suffer a relapse at some point, with 61 percent of those relapsing multiple times.
Relapse Defined
In order to know prevent relapses from occurring, it is first necessary to understand what is meant by a relapse. Dual Recovery Anonymous defines a relapse as the act of taking the first drug or drink after a period of sobriety. Even if only one drink or one dose of a drug is taken, the addict is still considered to have resumed the behavior of "using."
Start of Relapse
A relapse typically starts well before the first drug, drink, or eating binge begins. Often, it can start with a subtle breach in the aftercare program or the recurrence of a thought process that the addict had while using. The urge or need to abuse substances again will become stronger until the addict finally gives in to temptation.
Causes
What causes an addict to relapse is particular to each addict, In some situations, a major life event such as divorce, the loss of a job or the loss of a loved one can trigger the behavior. For others, the constant accessibility to substances, such as going to bars with friends on a regular basis can be the culprit. Some may become overwhelmed by stressful work or personal situations and feel the need to escape.
Preventive Measures
The best way to deal with relapse is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. The addict should have the support of friends and family, as well as a list of people to call at the first sign that a relapse could occur. It is also to compile a list of positive actions that could be taken in place of the addictive behavior.
What to Do
If a relapse occurs, it is important for the addict not to feel guilt or to give up hope for recovery. Instead, the addict should seek help from a professional to get back on track. Part of the process is to take the time to analyze what caused the relapse to occur. If a treatment program was in place, this could involve looking for possible gaps in the plan and making modifications if necessary.
Tags: addict should, drug drink, first drug, first drug drink, from occurring, from occurring first