Again, the support of friends and family can be paramount in preventing relapse. It’s important for such people to be educated on the process of recovery, as well as the risks and warning signs of relapse. Their ability to monitor their loved one in recovery can be crucial in preventing a relapse. There are many things that can trigger a relapse in an individual.

How Common Is Relapse?

First is the rate at which opioid tolerance builds, which increases very rapidly when compared with other drugs. So a person is quickly forced to take more and more of the drug to achieve the same effects. Then, when that person becomes sober and experiences withdrawal, their body and their tolerance levels react accordingly, pushing their tolerance closer https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to normal. When a person then relapses on opioids, they take the same increased amount of opioids as they had before and the body isn’t ready to process that amount of drugs. Stress can trigger a relapse, especially if you use drugs or alcohol to cope. Birthdays and other social events can also be triggers for people who celebrate with alcohol.

Addiction Relapse: Risk Factors, Coping & Treatment Options

When comparing addiction relapse rates to other chronic diseases like diabetes or hypertension, a interesting pattern emerges. The relapse rates for addiction are actually quite similar to those of other chronic conditions. This comparison helps to underscore the nature of addiction as a chronic, manageable disease rather than a moral failing. While relapse rates can seem disheartening at first glance, it’s important to approach these numbers with a nuanced understanding. Self-reporting biases, varying definitions of relapse, and the challenge of long-term follow-ups all contribute to the complexity of gathering reliable data. The quality of treatment and aftercare support also plays a crucial role.

Identifying Your Personal Triggers

What is more, negative feelings can create a negative mindset that erodes resolve and motivation for change and casts the challenge of recovery as overwhelming, inducing hopelessness. A relapse or even a lapse might be interpreted as proof that a person doesn’t have what it takes to leave addiction behind. Cravings occur because the human brain has remarkable powers of association. They are typically triggered by people, places, paraphernalia, and passing thoughts in some way related to previous drug use. In the absence of triggers, or cues, cravings are headed toward extinction soon after quitting. But sometimes triggers can’t be avoided—you accidentally encounter someone or pass a place where  you once used.

Warning Signs of Relapse: Depression, Stress, and Other Triggers

• Mindfulness training, for example, can modify the neural mechanisms of craving and open pathways for executive control over them.
• Creating a rewarding life that is built around personally meaningful goals and activities, and not around substance use, is essential.
• Stress relievers that might help you manage acute and long-term stress include yoga, deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness practices.
• Avoidance is an excellent coping strategy if you know that you are likely to run into danger.
• So, try journaling, meditating, or even praying when you are feeling negative.
• For instance, book yourself a relaxing massage or buy yourself something you’ve had your eye on.

Addressing these issues could dramatically improve overall recovery outcomes. Having someone to support in situations where you are at risk of relapse can help. Find someone you trust and respect to kindly, but firmly, persuade you to stop what you’re doing if you do start to relapse.

• Good treatment programs plan ahead for the possibility by including relapse prevention as part of the process.
• Some individuals are simply more susceptible to addiction due to their genetic makeup.
• You must also develop healthy coping skills and an effective relapse prevention plan.

Practicing mindfulness also aids in dealing with triggers without using substances. It helps you break free from unhelpful thought patterns and focus on healthier alternatives for managing stress. Mindfulness is a practice that involves being present in the moment and being aware of your thoughts without judgment. Write down a schedule of your favorite support groups and attend a meeting for additional guidance. Commit to talking with one or more of the support group members regularly. You can also reach out to them whenever you experience triggers or cravings.

Support for Me and My Family

Engaging in self-care may sound like an indulgence, but it is crucial to recovery. For one, it bolsters self-respect, which usually comes under siege after a relapse but helps motivate and sustain recovery and the belief that one is worthy of good things. Too, maintaining healthy practices, relapse prevention especially getting abundant sleep, fortifies the ability to ride out cravings and summon coping skills in crisis situations, when they are needed most. Some people arrange a tight network of friends to call on in an emergency, such as when they are experiencing cravings.

If you’re beginning to feel symptoms of depression, speak with a healthcare professional as soon as possible. They’ll be able to help adjust your treatment plan and provide coping mechanisms. A healthcare professional can help you develop a treatment plan for depression relapse.

Examples of Relapses

• Some people relapse several times before new behavior becomes a regular part of their lives.
• Or they may believe that they can partake in a controlled way or somehow avoid the negative consequences.
• Even some treatment programs take a hard line on participants who relapse.
• The statistics may seem daunting, but they tell only part of the story.
• This is a reason that a lot of support programs employ the use of a sponsor; it can be critical to have someone to talk to when the urge to use arises.