Growing into long-term recovery happens slowly, one day at a time - but it does happen. The addict is ultimately responsible for his or her own recovery -- having a recovery plan, following guidance from treatment or self-help groups, finding a spiritual connection. But, having supportive, loving and educated family and friends can be of great benefit to the person new to recovery - particularly if they are equally grounded in a therapy or self-help programs for the loved ones of addicts.
While we believe that relapse is NOT a requirement for recovery, we also understand it is a real part of many people's stories. It is NOT a sign of failure. When it happens, the addict must ultimately make the choice to stay in recovery and return to the new habits associated with their recovery plan. Nobody else can make that decision for them nor do the work for them.
Having said that, here are some things to be aware of that may either contribute to or show signs of a possible relapse.
Things Which May Lead to Slips and Relapses
- Stress
- Dealing with the underlying issues in therapy
- Becoming overwhelmed by feelings and emotions
- Death of a family member, friend, etc.
- Marital and family problems
- Feelings of loneliness, shame, guilt, anger, and abandonment.
- People’s reactions to changes the addict is making in his/her life
- Fear of change and/or living without the addiction
24 Signs of Relapse
- Apprehension by the addict about the ability to remain sober
- Denial about their uncertainty to remain sober
- Compulsive attempts to impose sobriety on others
- Noticeable defensiveness when discussing the challenges of remaining sober
- A return to former compulsive behavior
- Tendencies towards loneliness
- Developing tunnel vision about tasks or events while ignoring other important areas
- Minor depression, listlessness, oversleeping
- Loss of constructive planning, lack of attention to detail
- Idle daydreaming, feelings that nothing can be solved
- Wish to be happy without defining what is necessary to be content
- Periods of confusion even with simple tasks
- Irritation with family and friends, easily angered
- Irregular eating habits
- Irregular sleeping habits, insomnia
- Progressive loss of daily structure
- Periods of deep depression
- Irregular attendance at AA meetings, treatment and counseling sessions
- Open rejection of help, don’t care attitude
- Feelings of powerlessness, self pity, distorted judgment
- Thoughts of social drug and alcohol use being acceptable
- Conscious lying, denial and rationalization
- Discontinues all treatment, stops seeking support for addiction
- Loss of control, return to addictive behavior
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