If you or a loved one is on the road to recovery from alcohol addiction, you may be wondering about relapsing.
Does everyone relapse?
Is it an inevitable experience overcoming addiction?
How do you know if a person is going to relapse?
Though not everyone experiences an alcohol relapse, it is something that many addicts have to face. The best way to handle the situation is to learn about the warnings signs so you can deal with it quickly and effectively.
What are the Relapse Warning Signs?
The warning signs of relapse are broken down into three stages. Though we are focusing on alcohol use, most substance abuse relapsing follows these stages. Every recovering individual is at risk of relapse. Understanding the warning signs can be a determining factor in relapse prevention.
The first is the emotional relapse stage. Here, someone usually begins to develop negative thoughts. Those thoughts are presented through mood swings, anger, or feelings of anxiousness. A person’s sleeping and eating habits are affected as well. If you witness your loved one going through these stages, it may be a good idea to get help. Intervening at the earliest warning sign and getting treatment now can make a big difference. Especially since the person going through this stage may not recognize it for what it is.
The second stage is the mental relapse. This is the most precarious stage, where an individual decides to use alcohol again. It also harder for friends and family to identify. Here, a person’s mental health is comprised as they face an internal battle. A piece of the person wants to stay on the long term sober path, while another wants to drink. When the thoughts about drinking become overwhelming, it is often just a waiting game to when they use alcohol again.
The final stage is physical relapse. This is where the individual actually uses again. This stage is what people often associated with substance use relapsing, but it is really the final stage in the process. If you reach this stage, seek treatment immediately. Remember, relapsing is common, but it doesn’t have to define your recovery. It is part of the process and does not mean you are a failure. You can experience a relapse and still continue forward on your road to sobriety.
What Causes a Relapse?
There are many factors that may cause a substance abuse relapse. Most often, a person experiences relapse triggers. For some, this may be depression, isolation, or exhaustion. For others, it’s the overwhelming feeling of drug withdrawal symptoms.
Dealing with stress and coping with powerful emotions are often reasons for substance abuse. People use alcohol to suppress their thoughts and feelings because it is easier than facing them. Therefore, when they eliminate the substance from their life, the emotions return. Since the person has not developed effective coping skills, they don’t know how to deal with the feelings. Then, despite their efforts, they relapse. Addiction can be a vicious cycle, but with effective treatment, it is possible for an individual to find sobriety.
How to Get Help for Relapsing
Drug or alcohol abuse recovery is not a short term thing. It is a long road that often needs some sort of professional treatment. The first place people think of for addiction treatment is an offsite recovery center. However, this is not the only choice. Many people find success by enrolling in an at-home treatment program. This rights reserved treatment allows those suffering from drug and alcohol problems to get the help they need while remaining at home. We recognize that it may not be feasible to leave your life behind. This way, you can learn recovery strategies while balancing your household responsibilities.
Our program can be useful for loved ones, not just those with a substance abuse problem. It is hard to understand what an addict is going through and how to support them. Our program sheds light on the subject and gives you the tools to move forward.
In Summary
If you are one of your loved ones is struggling with addiction, sign up today for our course. Our unique treatment strategy can help you realize recovery. For just $19.95 you can get the help and support you need to get and stay sober.
Check out The Ultimate Addiction and Recovery Plan any time for more information about how we can give you the support you need.
