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Drug addiction relapse is a very real threat to addiction recovery. It can derail an individual’s efforts at cocaine recovery, heroin recovery, crystal meth recovery, and recovery from other types of addiction. Addiction relapse prevention is a vital step in achieving long-term recovery. Both drug relapse prevention and alcohol relapse prevention efforts are best achieved through a formal program at a drug and alcohol treatment center like Cumberland Heights.
Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is a process. That process includes planning for and preventing relapse. Relapse is defined as the return to drug or alcohol use after:
• A serious attempt at recovery
and
• Being abstinent for a period of time.
Frequently, there are observable warning signs of relapse that appear before drug use occurs. Recognizing these warning signs early can make drug relapse prevention possible. Friends, family members and the person in recovery should be familiar with the warning signs of drug addiction relapse so steps can be taken to help the person in recovery stay sober.
Drug addiction relapse does not happen in a vacuum. There are frequently signs that a person is about to relapse. Signs that a person in addiction recovery may be about to relapse include:
• Avoidance or resistance — the person in recovery may start to avoid people who show concern or offer feedback. He or she may resist or ignore input from loved ones.
• Cognitive problems — such as forgetfulness or lack of concentration.
• Complacency — letting up on disciplines such as group meeting attendance, self-awareness, prayer and meditation and other recovery steps. Boredom can also trigger the desire to use again.
• Compulsive behaviors — replacing drug use with other behaviors: sex, food or overeating, caffeine, nicotine, gambling or work. Often these substitutes become out of control or get used in an unhealthy fashion. Other less common behaviors, such as the constant desire to change things (moving residences), can also signal a problem.
• Denial — the attitude that there is no longer a problem. The person may start to believe he or she has got it made or that he or she is no longer concerned about drug or alcohol dependency. He or she may stop sharing feelings in counseling or support group sessions, or frequently miss meetings.
• Depression or withdrawal — Feelings of sadness, self-pity or hopelessness can occur in cycles. The individual may begin to withdraw, skip counseling, support group or aftercare meetings or close off interaction with loved ones.
• Dishonesty — consciously or unconsciously. Dishonesty usually begins with a pattern of small, unnecessary lies or deceits toward family, friends or coworkers. Dishonesty can evolve into rationalizing or making excuses for doing the wrong thing.
• Exhaustion — Feeling tired all the time, difficulties sleeping or withdrawing from usual activities can be relapse signs. It’s easy to reach for a pick-me-up when feeling too tired.
• Getting in high-risk situations — Being in the presence of drug use, being around other drug users (even if they’re not using), associating with high-risk or non-supportive people, including friends from drug-using days, are all extremely risky behaviors.
• Moodiness — extreme emotions, irritability, argumentativeness, overreaction, impatience, self-righteousness, becoming confrontational. These can be signs that the person in recovery is becoming frustrated, angry or feeling a loss of control. Extremely positive emotions or elation can also signal a problem.
• Stress — Significant life changes such as marriage, divorce, job issues and money problems can cause stress that can trigger the desire to use again. The person in recovery may begin to demonstrate oversensitivity to everyday stress, or ordinary problems may become overwhelming.
• Strong cravings to use — This may only be observable to the person in recovery. However, many of the above signs of addiction relapse can signal that the person is experiencing a strong desire to use again.
• Use of other substances — such as alcohol, prescription drugs or other drugs. Using mood-altering substances, even if they were not part of the original problem, is a form of relapse. Many recovering drug addicts turn to alcohol. Relapse prevention education can help avoid these easy ways to lose sobriety. Addiction is not the drug; addiction is the disease.
Relapse prevention starts with relapse prevention planning. An addiction relapse prevention plan can help an individual and his or her family:
• Understand the factors that led to substance abuse in the first place
• Anticipate situations and events that could potentially lead to relapse
• Recognize signs of relapse before drug use occurs
• Manage relapse signs by learning coping skills
• Learn how to replace old lifestyle behaviors with new, healthy ones
• Stay committed to the process of healing, recovery and addiction relapse prevention
• Use the support and involvement of others (counselors and others in recovery) to stay sober — and to want to stay sober
• Get back on track if a lapse (small slip-up) or drug relapse occurs — before the problem gets out of control
• Review and update the recovering person’s addiction relapse prevention plan periodically.
Relapse prevention planning is not a substitute for treatment but is a necessary step for every person seeking recovery. Drug or alcohol relapse prevention planning should follow a structured rehabilitation treatment program and should include identifying resources in the individual’s community that can provide continued support, education and encouragement.
Relapse prevention planning can take place through an inpatient program or outpatient program at a drug and alcohol treatment center. Recovering individuals often become involved in individual or group counseling and 12-step program support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.
A strong relapse prevention plan can help solidify the behaviors and skills learned in rehab treatment and help ensure successful recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.
The reasons people relapse are many and varied. The best way to approach drug relapse prevention or alcohol relapse proactively is to recognize triggers and high-risk behaviors and situations. Frequently, relapse occurs during periods of negative emotions such as depression, stress, anger or boredom. Certain social situations, such as an argument with spouse, relative or friend, can be a strong relapse trigger. Feeling social pressure, either by being in a risky setting or by being pressured to participate, or simply giving in to cravings or temptations while alone can lead to relapse.
Other attitudes that can contribute to relapse include:
• Overconfidence/cockiness — “I’ve got my drug problem licked.”
• Self-testing — “I’ll go to that party just to prove I’m cured.”
• Overly high expectations — “I’ve changed. Why hasn’t everyone else?”
• Self-pity — “I just can’t catch a break. Everything happens to me.”
• Invincibility — “It can’t happen to me.”
Cumberland Heights’ Drug Relapse Prevention Program is for individuals who have suffered relapse after maintaining some period of recovery from chemical dependence. It offers a specialized process guided by trained counselors to allow discovery of what contributed to the relapse. Specific obstacles to an individual’s recovery are identified, as well as examination of the underlying issues that contribute to the relapse process. These issues may include past or present dysfunction in the family, childhood abuse, abandonment, or other trauma.
Additionally, the program helps participants identify individual relapse warning signs and learn specific skills that will aid in preventing additional relapses. If needed, time is spent understanding substitute behavioral addictions that can contribute to post-treatment relapses. Such substitute addictions may include addiction to food, sex, work or gambling.
Cumberland Heights’ Relapse Prevention Program offers a supportive environment and the particular assistance needed to understand and consciously disarm the unresolved issues that block a person’s ability to move forward in recovery.
Prior to discharge, an individualized drug relapse prevention plan is designed with each patient to further strengthen the individual’s recovery plan.
Although drug addiction and alcohol addiction are different diseases and require unique treatment strategies, the triggers that lead to relapse are often the same. It’s vital for a person in recovery to learn and understand the issues that can lead to relapse and address them in a proactive way.
Cumberland Heights’ Relapse Prevention Program offers loving assistance needed to address the unresolved issues that can potentially derail a person’s efforts at long-term recovery. As with drug relapse prevention efforts, an individualized alcohol relapse prevention plan is designed with each patient to further strengthen the individual’s recovery plan.
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