Addiction is a complicated, chronic brain illness, and challenges can still emerge even when you think recovery is going smoothly. According to statistics from the National Institute of Drug Abuse, up to 60% of people who struggle with addiction will experience a relapse, which is a return to substance use after a period of sustained sobriety.
Understanding Addiction Relapse
Though many people think of relapse as a single, isolated event, it’s a gradual process that happens in three stages – emotional, mental, and physical/behavioral. You will need a relapse prevention plan to equip you with strategies to manage all three phases.
Emotional Relapse
When stress, sadness, or trauma cause emotional upheaval, there are a few red flags:
- Feelings of isolation
- Ignoring the need for self-care
- Repressing your true feelings
- Lacking the enthusiasm to complete regular daily tasks
Mental Relapse
Here are some typical mental relapse triggers to watch for:
- Lying to others to hide your drinking
- Justifying your “need” to drink
- Romanticizing your addiction
- Ignoring all the negative consequences of alcohol
- Telling yourself you will only drink once
Physical and Behavioral Relapse
Some of the most obvious warning signs of relapse are physical and behavioral. Recognizing these as early as possible is essential to preventing an impending backslide into alcohol use.
- Skipping support group meetings
- Buying alcohol
- Reuniting with old drinking buddies
What to Do When You’ve Had a Relapse
Part of successfully managing your illness over the long term involves maintaining a list of your triggers and how they might affect you. For example, boredom, stress, loneliness, and fatigue are typical relapse risk factors. Others can include people, places, and situations that remind you of when you were actively drinking.
You can manage your relapse triggers with healthy coping strategies like exercise, meditation, journaling, volunteering, and learning how to take better care of yourself. Remember, it’s possible to reverse the brain changes caused by addiction with time and patience. Finding new, rewarding hobbies is one way to accomplish this goal. Asking supportive loved ones for their help is another.
If you have recently relapsed, you’re not alone, and you have not failed. Returning to drinking is a sign that you need to rededicate yourself to your recovery, and entering treatment is the best way to do so.
A Safe Space for Recovery
At The Pearl, we understand that addiction recovery is not always a straight path. Our women’s-only addiction treatment center offers a safe and judgment-free environment where women can heal, learn new coping mechanisms, and find strength in community. Relapse is not the end of the road – it’s a chance to recommit to your goals and build a sturdy foundation for lifelong sobriety. Contact us today to learn about our admissions process and the benefits of a single-gender setting.
