Addiction is a challenging struggle, and recognizing the need for help is a significant milestone. Deciding to enter an inpatient drug rehab or treatment center is a crucial step. While completing a rehabilitation program is a notable achievement, the journey doesn’t end there. Relapse after treatment is unfortunately common and more prevalent than many might expect.
Addiction is a complex issue to overcome. Cravings can resurface, leading individuals back into old habits. Some might argue that relapse is a matter of choice, but addiction affects people on multiple levels—mentally, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Substance use fundamentally alters brain wiring, causing intense cravings for the substance.
Understanding relapse involves more than acknowledging its occurrence; it’s essential to grasp the underlying reasons. Here are five common reasons why drug addicts may relapse. While individuals can relapse for various reasons, these are frequently observed among those who do.
Celebrations and Parties
Balloons and festivities often accompany parties and celebrations, but these events can pose a relapse risk. Consider the last time you attended a birthday party. You might have seen presents, cake, and perhaps alcohol. While these elements might be typical for most people, for someone in recovery from alcoholism, such an environment could be particularly challenging. Imagine the discomfort of witnessing friends and family enjoying cocktails while you are striving to maintain your sobriety. This sense of discomfort and jealousy is something recovering addicts frequently experience.
Triggering Environments
Certain environments, like parties or concerts, may present a higher risk for relapse due to the presence of substances. It’s essential for individuals in recovery to carefully consider the nature of events they plan to attend. For example, if a person recovering from cocaine addiction is invited to a concert where cocaine might be available, it may be wise to avoid the event to prevent temptation.
Triggering Images
Exposure to objects or scenarios associated with addiction can evoke powerful emotions. Even after spending months in rehabilitation and believing oneself to be resilient, encountering triggers—whether in person or through media—can be challenging. Detoxing from substances doesn’t entirely eliminate the risk of encountering temptations. The brain has a remarkable ability to highlight unconscious desires, which can manifest in dreams about addictive substances or past experiences. These dreams can create strong cravings upon waking.
While it is not always possible to avoid all potential triggers, individuals should make an effort to steer clear of situations where drugs or alcohol are known to be present. This proactive approach can help minimize the risk of relapse.
Old Friends and Familiar Places
Imagine recently leaving rehab and reconnecting with friends you haven’t seen in a while. You would likely miss them, just as anyone would. However, it’s crucial to consider whether these are the right people to be around as you work on your sobriety. Friends who support your recovery and promote positive behaviors are beneficial to keep in your life. On the other hand, friends who were part of your drug-using past may pose a risk. If they continue to use substances, their presence could be a temptation, even if you are committed to staying sober.
Friends you met during rehab or through recovery programs are often valuable because they understand your journey and can offer support. It is wise to avoid those who still use drugs, as their influence could jeopardize your progress. The same caution applies to places associated with your past substance use. Visiting locations where you previously used drugs can trigger strong emotions and memories, even if the drug use was infrequent. To maintain sobriety, it is best to steer clear of such places whenever possible.
Stress
Stress is a potent emotion that can drive behaviors outside of our usual patterns. High-stress levels can increase cortisol, leading to health issues such as high blood pressure and heightened sensitivity. Often, people turn to comfort or familiar habits to alleviate stress. For some, this might mean eating comfort food, while others may seek the familiar high of a drug.
For someone recently out of rehab, stress might intensify cravings for their drug of choice, potentially leading them to justify use as a means of relief. Although stress can come in various forms, it is crucial for individuals in recovery to find healthy ways to manage stress without compromising their sobriety.
Conflicting Emotions
Drug use can profoundly impact our emotions, altering brain chemistry and intensifying feelings. Individuals who struggle with addiction may find it difficult to seek help, and even those in rehab can continue to face significant emotional challenges.
Rehabilitation is a challenging process, with detox being particularly harsh, withdrawal from strong addictions being grueling, and rebuilding trust with family and friends being emotionally taxing. Staying clean after recovery presents its own difficulties. Conflicting emotions can lead to confusion and distress, creating an emotional roller coaster that contributes to stress.
Re-entering society sober or adjusting to a new environment can also be emotionally overwhelming. When emotions are unsettled, individuals may seek out constants in their lives to manage the upheaval, which, for those with a history of substance abuse, can be their drug of choice.
Relapse Prevention Techniques
Preventing relapse is a challenging endeavor. Support from friends and family is invaluable, but sometimes it may not be enough. It is crucial to acknowledge when additional help is needed, and turning to drug treatment centers for support can be beneficial. Seeking help is a proactive step, and addressing potential relapse early on can provide a crucial advantage in maintaining sobriety.
Consider the Consequences
When contemplating a relapse, many recovering addicts mistakenly believe they can control their substance use this time. They might think, “Just one drink,” or “Just one hit.” However, this mindset is flawed. Any return to substance use typically leads to further consumption, setting off a cycle of guilt and disappointment that can drive additional use. The initial use often opens the door to more frequent and uncontrolled use, leading to feelings of regret and potentially deepening the addiction.
Addiction involves complex neurological factors, and if self-control over substance use were truly possible, the person wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with. It’s important to recognize that addiction can be a result of inherent predispositions, and there’s no shame in seeking help. Scientific research supports that some individuals are more vulnerable to addiction due to genetic and environmental factors.
Call a Friend or Family Member
When faced with urges to use again, it’s crucial not to keep those feelings to yourself. It might seem easier to handle the situation alone or to keep it private, but this approach is counterproductive. Many addiction recovery programs emphasize the importance of having sponsors or close support systems for a reason. Sharing your feelings and discussing your urges can help diminish their intensity. Opening up to trusted friends or family members can provide support and reduce the power that these urges hold over you.
Occupy Your Mind
If you don’t have anyone to talk to or feel restless, finding a way to focus your mind and body on something else can be effective. Engage in activities like attending a meeting, taking a walk, going to the gym, or hiking. The goal is to redirect the urge to use into a productive outlet that gives you a sense of purpose or simply shifts your focus away from the craving.
Wait 30 Minutes
When cravings hit suddenly and produce physical reactions, try to keep yourself occupied for 15-30 minutes. Most drug cravings are temporary and will subside if you distract yourself or talk to someone during this time. Keeping your mind and body engaged can help the cravings pass more quickly.
Look at the Big Picture
When experiencing urges, take a moment to view the situation from a broader perspective. Cravings can often bring feelings of hopelessness or despair about maintaining sobriety long-term, making the challenge seem insurmountable. Instead, focus on the present moment and view recovery as a series of manageable steps. By breaking it down into smaller, achievable goals, you can make progress one day at a time. Remember, it’s not realistic to be strong all the time—there will be challenging moments, but by making it through today, you are moving forward in your recovery.
Relax
Relaxing both your mind and body is a crucial part of the recovery process. When you are tense, you are more likely to revert to short-sighted thinking, which can increase the risk of relapse. To combat this, engage in activities that help you relax and shift your focus away from cravings. Practices such as yoga, meditation, sports, and expressive therapies can be effective in reducing stress and maintaining calm.
Avoid Romanticizing Drug Use
It’s common to romanticize drug use by focusing on the positive aspects while overlooking the negative ones. The allure of the “high” might overshadow the reality of the lows, such as the hangovers, the damaging effects on your life and relationships, and the overall consequences of addiction. This tunnel vision can lead to a dangerous nostalgia for the moments of pleasure associated with substance use. Remind yourself of the full picture—the discomfort and destruction that accompany addiction. By keeping the negative consequences in mind, you can reduce the temptation to relapse and avoid future regret.
Understand Your Triggers
When you find yourself thinking, “Just one won’t hurt,” it’s a sign that you need to be vigilant about your recovery. Addiction is dangerous, and it’s essential to avoid situations or stimuli that might tempt you to revert to old habits. The notion that one drink or one hit won’t lead to a relapse is misleading. Recognizing and understanding your triggers is crucial; this knowledge equips you with the tools needed to handle temptation effectively.
Identifying your triggers often involves exploring old patterns and sources of stress and anxiety through therapy and structured counseling. Common triggers include stress, anger, and sadness, but these can vary from person to person. It’s important to pinpoint what specifically triggers your cravings and address these issues, whether by reducing their presence in your life or by adjusting unhealthy thought patterns.
In Conclusion
If you suspect a loved one is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, our inpatient treatment facilities offer a range of programs designed to support recovery. In addition to our treatment programs, we provide blog content for motivation and education about maintaining sobriety. With Sunrise Recovery’s alcohol rehab, we can assist you or your loved one in returning to a healthy and fulfilling life.
