Why
Addiction Relapse Prevention Is So Important
By Dr. Fourkan Ali
A big part of recovery focuses on addiction relapse prevention
because this is the greatest threat to a person’s sobriety. The worry of
relapse will always be present, whether an individual has been in recovery for
one month, one year, or ten years. The reality is that there is no cure for
addiction; it is an illness that can be treated and managed, but never cured.
It is hard
to believe that some people would consider returning to the substance that once
threatened to destroy their lives, but as time passes, the bad memories often
fade. Some people find themselves in a situation where they convince themselves
that they are better and that they could easily manage one or two drinks
occasionally or have drugs now and again. Upon reaching this stage, they are
already half way towards an addiction relapse.
Reasons
to Work Hard on Sobriety
If you
have been through a programme of rehabilitation for a drug or alcohol
addiction, you probably already know the importance of relapse prevention. Over
time, though, you could be in danger of becoming complacent, which could easily
put your sobriety at risk.
Unless you
work hard to maintain your sobriety, you could easily return to drugs or
alcohol, particularly when faced with a difficult situation. After all, this
was how you used to deal with stress and or emotional pain.
If you
have been in recovery for some time, you will know the benefits of being sober.
Imagine how you would feel knowing that this had all been a waste of time. If
you are careless with your recovery, you could end up back where you started,
never again getting the opportunity to recover again. It is, therefore, vital
that you are aware of the triggers that could cause an addiction relapse so
that you can deal with them if and when they do arise.
Common
Triggers for Addiction Relapse
There are
many common triggers for addiction relapse including self-pity,
over-confidence, boredom, complacency, loneliness, and frustration. Those who
are bored or lonely may become frustrated with their recovery and then convince
themselves that they were better off when drinking or taking drugs. Others
begin to think that perhaps they didn’t really have a problem with drugs or
alcohol at all and that their issues stemmed from something else, such as a
mental health issue.
Self-pity
is also common among recovering addicts, and this emotion puts them at risk of
relapse. Many think of themselves as victims of their circumstances and might
blame others for the situation they find themselves in. If they are unwilling
to deal with the real cause of their problems, they may convince themselves
that the only way to feel better is to return to alcohol or drugs once more.
One of the
chief causes of relapse among those who have quit alcohol or drugs is an
unrealistic expectation of what recovery will be like. Many addicts expect
their life to instantly change and believe they are going to feel fantastic as
soon as they stop drinking or taking drugs.
In
reality, recovery takes a lot longer, and there are no overnight fixes. It
would be unrealistic to expect an immediate improvement, particularly since
addiction is a progressive illness that occurs over a long time. Those who want
to get better and overcome their addiction will have to realise that they need
to put in the time and effort before reaping the rewards of a clean and healthy
sober life.
Trying
Different Substances
Many
recovering addicts mistakenly believe that addiction is in the substance rather
than in the person. They may have been addicted to cocaine, for example, but
never drank alcohol. It is not uncommon for individuals to think that they can
drink alcohol while in recovery from a cocaine addiction. Just because they did
not have an addiction to alcohol in the past does not mean that they will not
develop one in the future.
The truth
is that addiction is an illness of the brain; a person who has displayed
addictive tendencies in the past could very well do it again with a different
mood-altering substance. Many recovering addicts suffer an addiction relapse
with a different substance to the one that they were in recovery from.
Importance
of Avoiding Addiction Relapse
As you
know, one of the hardest parts of recovery is making the decision to get help.
Those who relapse may never find the motivation to get sober again, which means
possibly wasting their one chance to have a happy, sober life.
For some,
a return to addictive behaviour could be life-threatening. Some people have had
to have urgent detox and rehab after being warned that to continue taking drugs
or alcohol could have fatal repercussions. If they were to relapse, it could
mean putting their lives at risk.
Addiction
relapse not only has consequences for the recovering addict but also for their
family members and friends. If a person relapses, it can ultimately destroy
relationships, as many loved ones will find it difficult to trust that the
individual with the addiction will ever overcome their illness for good.
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