Addiction Relapse

What is Addiction Relapse?

In addiction treatment, relapse is the restart of substance use after an attempt to stop or a time of abstinence. Someone who starts using drugs again after months of treatment and sobriety is said to have relapsed.

The goal of substance abuse treatment is to address the underlying reasons of the addiction and to address and change the dysfunctional thought processes that lead to compulsive behaviour.

Rehab may be both a life-changing and life-saving experience. Intensive treatment will be used during the recovery process to uncover and treat the fundamental reasons for your addiction.

You will look better, feel better, and be able to think more clearly when the alcohol or drugs have been properly eliminated from your system with medical detox.

It’s crucial to realise, though, that addiction does not go away immediately. To stay healthy and abstinent, you must employ all of the recovery techniques you have learned in treatment and apply them to your daily life.

This long-term commitment to recovery and sobriety is your best way to avoid relapsing.

Life After Rehab

It’s typical to feel a combination of apprehension and enthusiasm after leaving rehab. Fear because you will have learnt how terrible the addiction is, and excitement because you will be returning to your life around family and loved ones. You may leave with the impression that you can now effortlessly deal with cravings. However, leaving the rehab’s supporting atmosphere means finding the strength to complete your rehabilitation on your own. Relapse is frequently caused by complacency and overconfidence.

Relapse occurs when someone with an addiction to drug or alcohol use returns to using them despite knowing their negative effects. It’s more complex than just going off the waggon after a period of abstinence from addictive substances. You know you shouldn’t drink or do drugs, but you still want them. That’s why they call it relapse.

Many people suffer feelings of guilt or remorse after a relapse. Furthermore, rather than working hard and overcoming the momentary desire to use, you may feel like giving up the battle and giving in to your addiction. These are common emotions, but they can make maintaining a drug-free lifestyle more difficult.

Instead, learn from any relapse by developing your relapse prevention plan and identifying your triggers. By looking deeper into the source of the relapse, you may create the groundwork for a recovery that will see you return stronger than before.

How Common Is Relapse?

Relapse happens more than most people think. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), approximately 50% of those who are addicted to alcohol or other substances will experience a physical relapse (which means actually taking the substance) within five years of entering treatment. And according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), only about 40%of people who enter treatment stay clean for three months, and just 20% stay clean for a year.

Why Do People Relapse?

The reasons why people relapse varies widely. Some people relapse because they don’t understand how to avoid triggers and temptations. Others relapse because they become bored with life without alcohol or drug use. Others might relapse because they lose hope or faith in their ability to remain abstinent. Whatever the reason, there are ways to prevent and recover from relapse.

Addictions With The Greatest Incidence of Relapse

All addictions have a high rate of relapse. In addition, some addictions are more prone to relapse than others. Here are the top 10 addictions with the highest rates of relapse:

1. Substance Abuse – 75%

2. Eating Disorders – 70%

3. Tobacco Use – 68%

4. Opioid Dependence – 65%

5. Cocaine Use – 63%

6. Amphetamine Use – 60%

7. Heroin Use – 59%

8. Cannabis Use – 58%

9. Marijuana Use – 57%

10. Hallucinogen Use – 56%

Common Misconceptions About Addiction Relapse

Many misconceptions exist regarding addiction relapse. The following are some commonly held beliefs about addiction relapse:

• Misconception 1: Addiction is an incurable disease.

Fact: Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that affects the ability to control substance use.

People with addiction still have a choice. And they choose to continue abusing substances despite knowing the consequences. That makes addiction a serious illness, but not an incurable one.

• Misconception 2: A relapse means I’m going back to my old way of living.

Fact: A relapse doesn’t mean that you’re going back to your old habits. It just means that you’ve slipped up and used a substance that was once forbidden by your treatment plan.

A relapse doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll go right back to where you were before you started treatment. Most people who experience a relapse will make changes in their lives to prevent future relapses.

• Misconception 3: If I don’t drink or take drugs, I won’t suffer any long-term effects of the substance abuse.

Fact: Even though you may not physically feel addicted anymore, you could still face emotional and psychological issues as a result of your past behaviour.

For instance, you may find yourself thinking about how much money you spent while you were drinking or using drugs, which could lead to financial problems. Or you may feel guilty about what you did, which could affect your self-esteem.

You may also start having trouble concentrating and remembering things, which could interfere with work or school.

• Misconception 4: People who abuse drugs are weak.

Fact: Many people who struggle with addiction are strong enough to overcome their problems if given a chance.

Some people with drugs or alcohol abuse problems have been victims of trauma or abuse themselves. Others have experienced other difficulties such as poverty, loss of loved ones, or family dysfunction.

But regardless of why someone becomes dependent on drugs or alcohol, they have made a decision to do harm to themselves. This is no weakness; it’s a sign of strength.

• Misconception 5: I can stop whenever I want.

Fact: Your body needs time to recover from the physical effects of addiction. You can’t simply decide to quit cold turkey.

Common Causes And Triggers of Addiction Relapse

The most common causes of addiction relapse include stress, anxiety, depression, boredom, loneliness, and lack of motivation. If you find yourself struggling with any of these issues, talk to your doctor or therapist about ways to cope with them.

By gaining an understanding of your personal triggers, you will be much better prepared to deal with the challenges of recovery.

What Causes a Relapse?

Unfortunately, relapse after a time of abstinence is very typical. Approximately half of all recovering addicts have a brief weakness that leads to their repeating drug or alcohol use. Knowing some of the warning signs might assist you in avoiding this.

Relapse can be triggered by a number of factors, including the death of a loved one, conflict with others, a change in marital status, health issues, and serious financial hardship.

One or more of the following factors can lead to an impending relapse:

Lack of commitment

You’re more likely to relapse if you don’t make a solid commitment to long-term recovery. You must be willing to put in the effort necessary to stay clean in order to be successful. Attending 12-step meetings, having a focused sponsor, and receiving therapy or counselling for any co-occurring mental health issues like depression and anxiety are all examples of this.

The lack of a support system

A newly sober individual has to establish a strong support network straight away since this might be the difference between sustained recovery and relapse. It is critical to have a recovery support group. Solicit commitment from your family, seek spiritual guidance through meditation or religion, and participate in sober group activities. Keeping in mind that having a support system of family and friends will help you stay focused on your recovery. They can give a solid foundation while also encouraging the discipline and compassion that is required at this time.

Maintain sobriety for others and not yourself

In some circumstances, the user seeks therapy because they want to appease their family or friends rather than because they want to quit for themselves. The danger of recurrence is substantially higher unless someone honestly wants to quit for themselves.

Failure to plan for life after treatment

It’s critical to develop a relapse prevention strategy for returning to normal life after treatment. It’s critical to comprehend how some factors, such as dysfunctional family relationships, unhealthy friendships, social isolation, and harmful daily routines may jeopardise sobriety. Early identification of triggers might help you maintain your newfound sobriety.

Relapse Triggers

Relapses can occur unexpectedly and are frequently caused by triggers, which are any event, conversation, or connection that prompts an addict to justify resuming use. Emotional, environmental, and exposure are the three categories of triggers. Because they’re typically founded on previous habits or recollections, they’re unique to each individual.

The following are some examples of common triggers:

• Stress: stressful life events such as divorce, death, or moving can trigger a relapse. This is because stress triggers the release of certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood and behaviour. As a result, people under stress tend to crave substances that calm their nerves.
• Anxiety: anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalised anxiety disorder, can lead to substance use problems. People with these conditions experience intense emotional distress, which can make them feel like they need to numb themselves.
• Depression: depression is another major factor in addiction relapse. Many people turn to drugs and alcohol to try to reduce their negative thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, this only worsens the condition.
• Loneliness: loneliness can be a significant contributor to relapse. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members report feeling lonely when they stop attending meetings. One study found that nearly half of AA members reported having felt depressed during the previous month. Another study found that those who were married had fewer relapses than single individuals.
• Boredom: boredom is a common reason why people return to addictive behaviours. For example, if a person has been abstinent for several months, they may start using again simply because there are no new activities to do.
• Lack of motivation: lack of motivation is a big issue among recovering addicts. They often feel helpless and hopeless, so they resort to using drugs and alcohol to escape from reality.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: you may notice physical symptoms when you quit drinking or taking drugs. These symptoms usually disappear within a few days, but they can cause discomfort. There are two stages of withdrawal symptoms: acute withdrawal symptoms (mainly physical) and post-acute withdrawal symptoms (primarily psychological and emotional symptoms), and both can be triggers for relapse.

Preventing Addiction Relapse

There are several things you can do to help prevent relapse. For example, if you find yourself tempted by drugs or alcohol, try to resist the urge by finding a healthy activity that can stimulate your brain positively.

You might think about using the substance or even miss the people and places associated with your substance use during the stage of mental relapse. However, it’s important to resist the temptation.

If you think you can’t do it alone, then talk to someone you trust about what’s happening. This person could be your sponsor, counsellor, doctor, therapist, friend, family member, or even another recovering addict in a support group. They can offer advice and assistance. Consider joining a group like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). These groups provide support and assistance as well as opportunities to meet new friends.

Another way to prevent relapse is to make sure you’re staying busy. Being involved in activities outside of your home helps distract you from thoughts about drugs or alcohol.

Finally, if you have a job, try and keep up with your responsibilities. If you stop working, you’ll likely end up losing your benefits and possibly even your job. Also, if you quit your job, you won’t be able to afford the cost of living expenses.

What’s the Importance of Relapse Prevention Skills?

Relapse prevention skills are necessary for living a fulfilling life in recovery. To avoid relapse and live a healthy life, the patient can learn to employ these coping skills and take one day at a time.

Recovery from alcoholism or other substances is a stage-by-stage process that includes developmental milestones. Relapse is a possibility at any level of treatment, therefore knowing and understanding relapse prevention strategies is critical.

Most alcohol and drug treatment facilities teach and assist patients in learning relapse prevention tactics in order to sustain recovery and accomplish short- and long-term goals.

There are several relapse prevention methods that may be included in somebody’s daily routine to aid in the prevention of a relapse.

It’s a frequent misperception that relapse prevention techniques should only be employed when a person has a strong urge to use the substances. To avoid or minimise the danger of cravings, relapse prevention techniques should be included in each recovering person’s daily schedule and routine.

Relapse Prevention Tips

If you’ve been struggling with addiction, there are things you can do to prevent yourself from slipping up again. Here are some tips for developing a relapse prevention plan to keep you on track:

Develop coping strategies

Learn what helps you overcome temptations and urges to use drugs and alcohol. This includes developing ways to deal with negative thoughts and emotions.

Grounding techniques

When it comes to recovery, stress and anxiety are frequently the largest barriers. A grounding technique known as the 5-4-3-2-1 coping strategy is a useful relapse prevention technique. It guides you through the five senses to help you focus on the present and prevent thoughts of consuming the substance, anxiety, negative self-talk, or any other harmful thought or sensation that could make you want to use to escape.

The first of the five stages is to take a few deep breaths, then do the following:

5: Make a list of five things you notice around you.

4: Identify four things you can touch in your immediate environment.

3: Identify three things that you can hear around you.

2: Identify two things you can smell in your immediate vicinity.

1: Identify one thing you can taste in your immediate surroundings.

Finish by taking a long, deep breath. Using your senses to create self-awareness and mindfulness will help you complete everyday chores, fight negative thoughts or feelings, feel more in control and less overwhelmed, and decrease the chance of relapse.

Making a list of internal and external triggers is a good method to become more aware of them and lower the danger of relapse.

Learn how to say no

Saying “no” to drugs and alcohol will help you avoid temptation. You don’t need to explain yourself to anyone else; simply tell them that you’re trying to quit.

Play the tape all the way through

If you have a strong urge to drink or get high and are undecided about what to do, playing the tape trough is a great way to start. This means that you think about all the consequences of going back to your old habits. To play the tape, you must imagine what will happen to the very end in your head. Consider what will happen to you in the short and long term if you drink or use. Consider what would happen if you used vs. if you didn’t. This can help in making decisions and decrease the chances of relapse.

Stay connected

Stay in touch with family members, friends, and loved ones. Having a support system can make all the difference in helping you remain sober.

Make a list of emergency contacts.

It can be challenging to control urges, especially in the early stages of recovery. Making a list of healthy family members or friends who are also in recovery that you may call for support is an excellent relapse prevention technique. Having someone safe to chat to might help you get beyond the craving and remember why you don’t want to go back to your old habits. It’s critical to keep that list with you at all times since it’s a quick and easy way to contact someone who can help you.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation is a concept that helps people to be more aware of themselves. We are better equipped to manage possible relapse triggers when we are more self-aware. Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information indicated that people in recovery who practise a mindfulness meditation relapse prevention programme do better than those who don’t. Individuals who practised mindfulness meditation stayed clean and sober for longer periods of time, with fewer cravings and more awareness and acceptance. Participants in Mindfulness Meditation are advised to learn to “roll with” rather than resist their urges. Accepting that cravings will occur is a skill that may be developed via this practice, as can relapse prevention techniques.

The fundamental notion of mindfulness involves paying attention, awareness, or concentration on what you’re doing, where you are, who you’re with, and other things. Simply notice what you’re doing without passing judgement to begin the process of becoming more attentive. Writing down the person’s everyday actions and recording them with a smartphone might help someone become more aware of what they are doing, thinking, and feeling. This may give you a lot of knowledge and power over your cravings.

Learn the advantages of deep breathing

As you may be aware, breathing is essential to life. Many people are unaware of how much power they have over their lives by just altering their breathing patterns. Breathing is linked to a variety of vital activities throughout your body, as well as having a significant impact on your brain chemistry. Breathing has a significant influence on your emotions and aids in mood regulation. This is why deep breathing is so important for mental well-being.

Deep breathing causes your brain to generate neurotransmitters, many of which cause feel-good chemicals to be released, resulting in relaxation, happiness, and pain relief. Deep breathing, and the enhanced oxygen flow that results from it, also assists your body to expel toxins. The 4 x 4 breathing method is a good deep breathing technique. Inhale deeply for four seconds via your nose, then exhale slowly for four seconds. While breathing, you should notice your diaphragm moving in and out. Deep breathing is a good relapse prevention strategy since it can be done almost anyplace and without anybody noticing.

Get professional assistance

If you are experiencing mental health issues as a result of your addiction, seek treatment. There are many different types of treatments available, including medication, therapy, counselling, and support group programs. A mental health professional can also help you develop coping strategies for your addiction problem.

Remember, if you slip up, you can always pick yourself up and start over again. With practice and determination, you’ll learn to live a life free from the destructive cycle of addiction.

The first step is to contact your therapist or sponsor so that they can analyse the problem and determine the best urgent course of action. This might involve returning to treatment or attending additional meetings/therapy sessions each week, depending on your specific circumstances.

You should also seek out your support system, but be aware that they will have their own reactions to your relapse. Just let them know that you’re still on your way to recovery and that you’ll need their continuing encouragement and support.

Addiction is a lifetime battle for most addicts, especially those in recovery. Relapse is believed to occur in 40-60% of recovering drug users. Making the decision to get sober might be challenging, and it doesn’t get much easier from there, to be honest. One prevalent misunderstanding regarding addiction recovery is that after a person completes treatment or achieves sobriety, they are fully recovered. However, recuperation is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing journey with plenty of speed bumps along the way.

Some people may think: “With figures like those, why bother?”. That number is not meant to be discouraging in any way. Allow it to be a source of inspiration and motivation instead. Take solace in the fact that the thoughts telling you “just one hit won’t hurt” or “it’s only one drink” have been heard by many others who have relapsed, battled their way back, and are now living happy, clean lives.

You’re not on your own. Use this as a chance to be ready for what you’re about to face. Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge you need to recover from a relapse or, better yet, avoid one in the first place.

It won’t be easy to recover from a relapse, but you’ve made it this far and are more than capable of doing it again. Relapse is an opportunity to learn from your mistakes, not a failure. Never give up fighting for your recovery. No matter how many battles it takes, you should never stop standing up for yourself.

Helping Someone in Relapse

The focus of addiction recovery should be on the transition back to normal life, even if someone suffers a relapse.

Entering rehab for a few months may be the best option for preventing further relapses, where an environment of responsibility and discipline may be beneficial. It’s also a good idea to have an outpatient plan in place in case they need to continue their therapy after they leave rehab.

If someone close to you has recently relapsed, here are some things you can say or do to support them during their addiction recovery process:

• Let them know they aren’t alone. Tell them that there are thousands of others who have struggled with alcohol and drug problems. They are not failures.
• Encourage them to continue attending support group meetings. The fellowship provided by these groups helps members stay focused on their recovery.
• Offer encouragement and support. Share stories of your own experiences with addiction. Help them understand that they are not alone.
• Show interest in what they are doing to overcome their problem. Ask questions about their plans and encourage them to share information about their progress.
• Listen without judgment. While you may disagree with their decisions, try to listen without judging them.
• Don’t criticise them. Instead, offer advice when asked. If you think they need help, ask them if they’d like to talk with you about it.
• Make sure they know they can call you anytime. Even if they haven’t called you in a while, let them know you’re always available to talk.
• Stay away from negative comments about their past choices. These kinds of statements can cause guilt and shame, which may push them further down the path of relapse.
• Be supportive but avoid enabling behaviours. This includes giving them money to buy more alcohol or drugs. It’s important to remember that they must take responsibility for their actions.
• Do whatever you can to help them find treatment options. Many rehabs will accept patients who have relapsed. Some even provide free counselling services.
• Finally, don’t give up hope. There are times when people who have relapsed return to sobriety. In addition, most people who have relapsed eventually succeed in overcoming their addictions.

Addiction Relapse: Support Groups in the UK

• Alcoholics Anonymous – The world’s largest non-profit mutual aid society, AA offers its members a 12 step approach to recovery based on spiritual principles. It is open to anyone regardless of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability, or economic status.
• Twelve Step Facilitators – These individuals provide support to patients throughout the process of recovery. They are available to answer questions, offer guidance, and facilitate meetings.
• Therapeutic Community – These organisations provide an alternative to traditional hospitalisation. Patients live together in small groups under the supervision of trained staff. Each member participates in a wide array of therapeutic activities, including art, music, drama, and cooking.
• Voluntary Sector Organizations – These organisations work closely with government agencies to provide free services to addicts. Some examples include drug and alcohol treatment centres, homeless shelters, and community outreach programs.
• Women’s Recovery Support Groups – These groups are open to both male and female participants. They provide a safe environment where women can discuss their experiences and seek advice from other women going through similar struggles.
• Youth Programs – Many facilities offer specialised youth programs. For example, children and teens may benefit from group therapy sessions, life skills workshops, mentoring, and educational programs.

Addiction Relapse Statistics

According to studies, 40-60% of people relapse within 30 days of leaving an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment facility, and up to 85% relapse within the first year.

In the 2018/19 school year, 20.3% of young adults aged 16 to 24 had used an illegal substance.

There were 7,376 hospital admissions for drug-related mental and behavioural problems in 2018/19.