Relapse is when a person begins using drugs or alcohol again after a period of disuse. Many people in recovery will have to deal with relapse in one form or another. It isn’t a sign that you’ve failed in your recovery or are hopeless; it’s simply a sign that you need help. The best way to prevent relapse is to be knowledgeable, prepared, and have access to effective support.
What are Some of the Causes of Relapse?
There are a number of factors that can cause a person to relapse. For some, relapse occurs as a result of intense cravings and urges to use drugs or alcohol because of the physical and mental dependence that develops with addiction. For others, relapse may be caused by triggers: people, places, situations, or emotions that bring about an acute desire to return to substance use. Others still find that negative feelings like stress, anger, depression, and anxiety can lead them to relapse.
How Can Relapse Impact Me?
Relapse presents all the risks and complications of addiction on a whole. It can rattle your ability to focus on your life and keep up with everyday responsibilities, negatively impact your relationships with your friends and family, and make you prone to avoid connecting with sobriety resources like your peers and sponsor. Relapse also tends to evoke major feelings of guilt, shame, and self-loathing, which can lead directly to dangerous self-isolation and abandonment of your personal values.
Another significant threat posed by relapse comes in the form of accidental overdose. Depending on the substance in question, returning to use after a period of disuse can have disastrous consequences on your mind and body. Many people who relapse return to a similar quantity as they were previously used to, even though your tolerance can drop more quickly than you might expect. As a result, the body can react adversely to overdose amounts of a substance that it used to tolerate, causing serious, even life-threatening problems.
Why Is It Important to Get Help for Addiction As Soon As Possible?
It’s critical to get help for addiction and problems related to substance abuse as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the condition will become, making it increasingly more difficult to turn your life around in the long run. If you’re struggling with addiction and the havoc it can wreak throughout your life, don’t hesitate: get help now. Thinking that you have it under control is a slippery slope that can lead to things getting much worse before they get better. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can begin to rebuild your life.
How Can I Get My Life Back if I Have a Problem with Drugs or Alcohol?
If you are struggling with addiction, figuring your life out can feel like an insurmountable challenge, especially when some of the most important things in your life depend on the next steps you take. This is exactly why it’s crucial to create and stick to a strong, structured plan of action to help get your life back on track. It can help to find a calm and quiet place to assess your life, along with the steps that you will have to take in order to overcome your addiction.
It can also be effective to be prepared for relapse before it happens. Consider possible scenarios that might lead you to relapse, and then come up with predetermined means of handling these situations if they occur. There is light at the end of the tunnel. With hope, motivation, and the support of people you trust, there is nothing that you can’t accomplish.
Where Can I Go for Support?
Building a support system is a foundational part of maximizing your efforts towards working through substance abuse. Connect openly with trusted family and friends and let them into your life. Though it might seem vulnerable or scary, they’ll support you and encourage you as you progress towards healing.
You can also seek out the help of professionals who are specially trained to treat those suffering from problems of addiction and substance abuse. Rehab centers and recovery facilities offer a wide variety of effective treatment options for people in your shoes. Put in the time to explore your options, and consider discussing your situation with a recovery professional to establish which forms of treatment and guidance may be right for you. Don’t be afraid to reach out when you really need some support. No matter how hopeless things may seem sometimes, there is always help available and waiting to support you through your journey.
Relapse is a part of recovery. While it may seem as though you can’t get a handle on your problems, there is effective help available to you. The best thing you can do for yourself is to invest in your future wellbeing by connecting with professional guidance and forming a plan of action. Promising Outlook is a rehab center located in Riverside, California. We provide services to assist with problems related to addiction, relapse, detox, substance abuse, anger, stress, mental illness, and other problems. We offer a wide range of therapy modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). We work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan for your unique needs. Our goal is to help people going through the hardest parts of their lives to overcome roadblocks and begin living out their fullest potential. If you would like to make real change in your life, call us at (951)783-2487 to learn more.
