Addiction relapses are as common as the disease itself so when people relapse, doctors already have some backup plans to save them.
You can undergo a detox once again or you can choose to see a counselor or a therapist find out the root causes of your addiction problem. VSM provides meth detox in Austin so you can check that out if you have recently relapsed.
But, who do people relapse?
- Is it because of the triggers?
- Does it mean you are not completely cured even after spending two months in rehab?
- Or, does it mean you have to move to a different rehab because the one where you have spent your days is incompetent?
Well, we have the answers to all these questions.
So, let’s take a look at the common reasons people relapse:
1: Mental Health Issues
Alcoholism and drug addiction are problems in and of themselves, but there is another issue that lies behind substance abuse.
Anxiety, depression, mania, personality disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder are frequently ignored as mental health issues but these are prominent causes of relapse.
Mental health difficulties, like alcohol and drug addiction, may need long-term treatment to maintain recovery. If mental health concerns are not treated, they might lead to relapse with alcohol or drugs.
2: Withdrawal
Many people relapse during the first week after quitting drugs to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which can last anywhere from 6 hours to 18 months.
Withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on the type of substance taken, the quantity of use, the frequency of use, the duration of use, and other factors.
Nausea, chills, heat, restlessness, vomiting, sleeplessness, and muscle aches are some of the most frequent physiological withdrawal symptoms, and some of them can be more fatal, which is a reason people relapse into addiction.
3: Poor Self-Care
Addiction rehabilitation necessitates the practice of self-care. Self-care will improve your self-esteem and send a message to yourself that you are concerned about your well-being.
Poor self-care, on the other hand, conveys the message to yourself that you don’t care about your health and might lead to a relapse.
Weight gain can make people depressed, and it might make them think that their substance usage would help them reduce the weight they’ve gained. Hence, it is critical for people in recovery to eat well, exercise, meditate, and sleep well.
4: Places
There are several venues that people in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction should avoid, including bars, liquor stores, vineyards, strip clubs, casinos, and parties.
Any location that you may have associated with your alcohol or drug usage should be avoided at all costs. For example, if you have been abusing drugs at your home or your friend’s place, it could cause you to relapse.
The effects of addiction on the human brain are so extensive that even minor events can trigger someone in recovery, even if they are not aware of it.
5: People
Individuals who suffer from an alcohol or drug addiction frequently associate with others who share their addiction. Being in the same environment as persons who are using substances while in recovery might lead to a relapse.
Setting appropriate boundaries with friends, family, or coworkers who do not respect your sobriety while they are around you is an important part of the recovery process.
You want to get to the stage in your recovery where you can enjoy social events where other people are drinking alcohol without feeling compelled to relapse, but this requires time and work.
6: Things
Do you remember how addiction affects the brain and how even minor events can trigger a relapse?
Glasses clinking, bottles bursting, and cans opening are some of the examples that may cause an alcoholic to think about alcohol. A cocaine addict or other drug addict may get the memory of using drugs if they see straws, syringes, pill bottles, or credit cards.
Obviously, we live in a world where it is practically impossible to escape these situations. So, you must identify these objects and prepare yourself mentally.
7: Negative Emotions
When you were actively addicted, you used alcohol or drugs when you were weary. When you were furious, you drank or used drugs.
Nobody wants to feel bad, yet it’s a natural and necessary part of the human experience.
The more we accept unpleasant feelings and recognize that they are attempting to teach us something significant about our current situation, the more equipped we will be to deal with and manage them.
8: Boredom
Many people in early recovery might easily cite boredom and loneliness as the number one reason for recurrence. Prior to recovery, they spent all of their free time acquiring their substance, using their substance, and recuperating from their addiction.
As a result, people who are new to sobriety frequently find themselves with a lot of free time.
When bored or alone, one is left with their own thoughts and feelings, and that seeks opportunities for seeking the drug once again.
9: Overconfidence
People who are fresh to recovery may feel a pink cloud or believe that they will never drink or use drugs again, no matter what. They are loving their recovery path despite having such horrible recollections of their substance abuse.
Sure, it’s a wonderful feeling to be confident in your recovery, but bear in mind that anybody can relapse.
It only takes a fraction of a second, being in the wrong location at the wrong moment, or one terrible thinking to lead to a disastrous decision.
10: Intimacy
If a person is not in an intimate relationship when they join treatment, it is often recommended that they stay out of one for several months, if not a year.
This is because newly clean people may want to replace the emptiness with an intimate partner. There are numerous other reasons why dating sober is discouraged.
Relationships can elicit unpleasant and unwelcome emotions, which a newly sober person may not be able to manage without seeking refuge in drugs and alcohol.
Avoid Them!
Now that you are aware of the common reasons behind addiction relapses, you can try to avoid them by hook or by crook.
We know that not all of these reasons are avoidable but you must have a backup plan to deal with them when you face them.
Once you find out the reasons for relapse, you can find new ways to deal with them, so, if you need any help from us, let us know in the comment box below.
