Relapse is a frustrating and ever-present risk individuals face on the road to recovery. Even those with the strongest intentions and dedication to sobriety can fall prey to relapse, leading to feelings of confusion, discouragement, and wondering where it went wrong.
Addiction recovery is challenging, and relapse should be considered a part of the journey rather than a failure. Understanding the complex nature of relapse can help you gain insight into why it occurs, further empowering you to prevent it.
What Does it Mean to Relapse
A relapse occurs when a person veers from their goal of abstaining from using alcohol or other drugs and reverting to their previous use levels.
A relapse is different to a lapse, which is a temporary setback that is quickly followed by a return to abstinence. For example, a person with a goal of not drinking may slip up with a beer at a party but continue with their goal the next day.
Why Do Relapses Happen?
Many different variables can cause a person to relapse. They often have a solid connection to other life challenges, such as problems at work, relationship challenges, mental health issues, or financial hardship.
Relapses are not a sign of weakness, nor should they be considered a failure. Instead, they are a return to old coping mechanisms that need to be replaced with new, healthier alternatives.
Common Causes of Relapse
Guilt from lapsing: Lapsing at a party or after a hard day at work may be the source of extreme guilt if it's not addressed correctly. When these feelings are mismanaged, it can lead to self-blame and doubt, increasing the likelihood of slipping into the old habits used as a coping mechanism.
Physical health issues: Pain or discomfort caused by poor physical health can lead to using non-prescription drugs for relief.
Mental health or emotional issues: Mental health or emotional issues can cause a return to alcohol as a coping mechanism when they are not resolved.
Triggering circumstances: Lack of secure housing, personal and professional setbacks and social pressures can act as a trigger for a relapse.
Tempting situations or locations: Locations or circumstances where a person would previously consume alcohol or drugs can cause old habits to resurface.
Avoiding Relapse in the Long Term
While relapses are a risk all recovering addicts face, the following strategies will help to prevent their occurrence.
Doing meaningful activities such as volunteering or joining a special interest group will help build a positive self-image.
Avoiding certain people or places where you drank or used drugs can help you avoid relapses.
Live a balanced lifestyle by taking care of yourself physically and mentally, which includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and maintaining a clean-living environment.
Think positively, try to learn from your mistakes, and keep setting goals to work towards.
Relapse is Part of the Journey
Relapses are a stepping stone to recovery for 40% to 60% of recovering individuals. Recovery is not a linear process but a cyclical one that's marked by periods of abstinence and relapse.
Substance abuse releases pleasurable chemicals, like how doing rewarding activities such as socialising and exercise makes us feel good. As the addiction tightens its grip, it rewires the brain, which demands increasingly larger amounts of the substance to produce the same effect.
This neuroplasticity works against you to make it increasingly difficult to maintain sobriety despite an intense desire to do so. Brain scans have shown that these changes can impair judgement and self-control to add even more challenges to the recovery process.
Help is Available
Achieving sobriety on your own can be all but impossible for some, but help is available. Reset My Future understands the difficult journey you face, and we are here to support you in your recovery process.
Our treatment is an alternative to traditional rehab that allows you to achieve life-changing sobriety on your terms, in your own home, at a schedule that will enable you to keep your commitments in work and life.
In just 12 weeks, you can break free from the chains of alcohol and drugs as you relearn the skills that allow you to build the life you deserve to live.
At Reset My Future, you will receive:
12 weeks of one-on-one tailored support unique to your circumstances.
Flexible online participation that doesn't require you to leave home or take extended leaves of absence.
A comprehensive approach that addresses the root cause of your addiction that may also be the source of your relapse.
Don't let a relapse trap you in a vicious cycle of addiction. Call Reset My Future and start your journey to a brighter, healthier future today, or visit the website for more information.
