By Miah Ayaan
Relapse occurs when a former drug abuser goes back to their addiction habits after a period of abstinence. It is a common setback that affects a large number of addicts.
Some people relapse more than once. However, this does not mean that the treatment they underwent was a failure. Maintaining sobriety takes dedication, time, and practice. It also requires unconditional love and support from your loved ones.
Recovering addicts may return to their addictive behaviors. However, it is not the end of the road and long-term sobriety is still an option even after a relapse.
In this article, we are going to look at the various things that can trigger a relapse.
- Environment
Successful completion of a rehabilitation program does not guarantee long-term sobriety. After leaving luxury rehab centers, people return to their normal lives. They go back to environments where they once used the drugs.
Seeing people and other things may bring back memories of past addiction, which could trigger a relapse. For example, when a person walks past a joint where they used to drink or use other illegal drugs, cravings might be generated.
Other triggers might arise when they attend social gatherings where the drug is available or meet other individuals who still engage in drug use.
Additionally, the risk of relapse depends on how long the person suffered from addiction. A person who has been battling alcoholism for a decade is more likely to relapse than a person who has been at it for a year.
- Failing to seek additional help after rehabilitation
After drug and alcohol rehab, people are given a treatment plan. However, if they fail to follow-through with the plan, they may suffer a relapse.
It is critical to take the appropriate steps to ensure recovering addicts remain drug-free in the long-run. This means, seeking further assistance after rehabilitation.
Most Arizona drug rehabs encourage recovering addicts to enroll in aftercare services. These are programs that guide you on how to go back to your normal life without relapsing. They can offer sober housing, where you live with other recovering addicts in a drug-free environment. It allows you to support each other in abstaining from drug use.
- Dishonesty
Many addicts are not honest about their feelings. Even during rehabilitation, they will hide their feelings of anger and resentment.
Suppressing these feelings is a major obstacle to recovery. As a result, these individuals make excuses for their behavior and these feelings might trigger them into relapse.
- Self-pity
Recovering addicts from Scottsdale drug rehab are required to live a sober life. This might mean not going for social gatherings with their friends and no longer attending parties they once fancied.
As such, people in recovery might start feeling sorry for themselves. These negative feelings can trigger a relapse.
All in all, recovering addicts should realize that it takes dedication and sacrifice to maintain long-term sobriety. Aftercare programs are the first step to full recovery. Additionally, they should avoid hanging out with other drug abusers.
Friends and family should also be vigilant and be able to pinpoint any signs of relapse and take appropriate action.
