Did you know?
Relapse statistics shockingly show that more than 85% of individuals relapse!
How can this be the case?
Alcohol relapse is, unfortunately, a major factor in almost every person’s attempt, successful or not, at recovery. However, the statistics for those who are in rehab are significantly higher than other approaches. But, that’s not what the rehabs would have you believe is it?
Why do alcoholics relapse?
This is a tough one. While relapse is a natural factor almost everyone has to deal with, not everyone actually actually finds themselves drinking again. There are so many factors at play. Many researchers have sought to understand relapse with little success.
The main factor for alcoholics relapsing appears to be personal in nature. That is, each person’s reason for relapse is different. We find that alcohol abuse is a highly individual issue that requires deep work to resolve.
Sure, things like triggers play a role but there are many other things happening too.
Be sure you know the warning signs so you can properly prepare.
Diet, for instance, is linked to many factors of good mental health and stress induced cravings for food during recovery is not unheard of according to researchers from the Research Society on Alcoholism.
So, unfortunately, it isn’t always clear why alcoholics relapse but, what is clear, is how and what factors contribute to reasons why alcoholics relapse in the first place.
What causes alcoholics to relapse
Because everyone is different, there’s lots of things that can itself cause a relapse. I won’t go into a complete list but there are some fundamental factors that apply to everyone.
- Emotional instability – this is a big one. Emotional stability plays a big role in the percentage of alcoholics who relapse. Not to be confused with being strong mentally, emotional stability refers to consistent, controllable feelings. If you aren’t stable emotionally it is going to be incredibly hard to remain sober.
- Triggers – we talk a lot about triggers here and for good reason. Triggers can be anything and that’s why they are so powerful in causing relapse. Basically, a trigger is something that causes you to start drinking again. It doesn’t matter if it is one drink or many drinks, a relapse is a relapse.
- Lack of preparation – if you don’t properly prepare to be sober, you’re setting yourself up for a world of pain. Preparing to become sober is a lot of work. I won’t try and sugar coat it. At the end of the day if you don’t prepare for your physical, mental and social health then you can expect to relapse.
- Insufficient support – who can you go to if you need help? Some people find solace in going to AA meetings. Others use their family for support during tough times. Still, you might not have either of those available to you. In this case then you can benefit from online programs such as Sobriety Success. The truth is, you do need the power of a community to support you through it.
- Not dealing with mental health – so many people live with mental health concerns (diagnosed or otherwise) who don’t understand how it contributes to addiction and substance abuse. Did you start drinking because of your mental health concerns? Or is it the other way around? You simply have to get your mental health under control for an effective recovery. Depression, for example, can be an acute reason for relapse.
- Living with a partner who is also an alcoholic – most people can’t simply control who they live with. If you live right now with a partner that is also an alcoholic, the chances are sky high for you to relapse. Particularly if they aren’t getting help themselves. Just like insufficient support, a partner can sabotage your efforts, consciously or unconsciously, causing you to undo all the hard work of your sobriety journey.
- Poor physical health – poor physical health includes things like diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep, hygiene – you get the drift. Failing to take care of yourself physically can be a factor in relapse. Feeling like crap and eating bad foods can cause you to make poor choices such as having a drink. You can’t expect to do the work of recovery and then treat your body badly.
- Work and social factors – for lots of people, work sucks. When you add in this to a case of dealing with alcohol addiction it becomes that much harder. Sometimes it is the people you work with who make the situation worse. Other times the work itself causes you stress. Whatever the reason, understand that those people around you are a contributing factor to relapse. You’ve got to determine which social support is good and which ones are unhelpful.
What to do about an alcohol relapse
The first thing you need to do is stop drinking again.
That might sound like common sense, no? But, that really is the first step. Once you’ve stopped drinking and come to terms with having relapsed you need to get back going on your sobriety journey. Freeing yourslef from alcohol dependence takes time and concerted effort which you might not get right the first time.
Alcoholics relapse all the time. This is a fact of the sobriety process. You may not personally relapse but being ready for it can be vitally important. If you do find yourself breaking however, just remember this:
You can just pick right back up where you left off. Reach out for social support from people that you know who have supported you in the past. Find people who are on the same journey as you. A good support group is a great way to surround yourself with others who can give you reassurance and understanding.
Another option is to look into cognitive behavioral therapy if you can’t fight the alcohol abuse on your own.
Nobody is going to judge you.
If you need help with your recovery journey and alcohol addiction and want to get sober from home check out our Sobriety Success program. FREE for the first 30 days then just $37 per month for unlimited access to more than 20 courses, eBooks and programs to help you succeed and develop coping skills for alcohol dependence. Click here to sign up today.
Finding a Treatment Program
In order to find a treatment program for alcohol use disorders we recommend you look for something that fits your life and lifestyle. Work with family members, if you can, to determine a treatment provider and recovery process that works for you.
Online support systems, like Live Rehab, help you to overcome a potential alcohol relapse by helping you to develop relapse prevention plans. When you choose an addiction treatment program, consider the method of delivery. Do you want to have to visit a place every day? Are you interested in spending time in a sober house or treatment center?
There are plenty of treatment options available but only one provides a completely online program with a support group included as well; Live Rehab. Live Rehab’s Sobriety Success program is a complete approach to treating everything from chronic alcohol use to those who are helping other family members get support.
Sobriety Success also supports those who are already in long term sobriety but need an extra boost or help to maintain their alcohol free life.
Ready to get your own alcohol relapse plan?
Normally you’d have to choose an expensive rehab plan or get your insurance involved at great cost to break free from your addiction.
These costs are too high and require you to give up your friends, family, pets and work to get sober.
So that’s why we built The Ultimate Addiction and Recovery Plan so you can get sober for just $19.95.
The Ultimate Addiction and Recovery Plan takes you through step by step how to fight against excessive alcohol consumption without having to leave your loved ones.
Basically you’ll get a complete course you can take from home that covers:
- How to Set a Quit Date
- Stages of Change
- Importance of Nutrition
- How to Get Fit and Fab for Recovery
- Super Sleep Routines
- Dealing with Family
- Supporting Friendships
- What to do About Work
- Tackling your Mental Health
- Becoming a Spiritual Warrior
- Living an Intentional Life
You’ll get the exact steps needed so you can stop drinking alcohol, avoid relapse triggers and make a full recovery on your own terms.
All you have to do is click the order button below to start your recovery treatment today.
After ordering you’ll get instant access to the whole program as we walk you step by step how to develop the healthy behaviors needed to prevent alcohol abuse.
Or do nothing at all.
Life will stay the same for you.
Maybe that’s what you want.
But I believe you’re ready for change.
Buy the Ultimate Addiction and Recovery Plan today and secure your plan for the future.
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