How to recognise relapse

IdentifyOne of the major challenges in recovery from any addiction is the reality that relapse may occur, particularly in the early months of abstinence when relapse rates are high. At this time, we need to be extra vigilant and highly self-aware in order to stay committed to our newly found path and avoid being tempted back into our old addictive patterns.
 
Relapse is not a single event, as is often believed, but a process that builds up days, weeks, or even months before the addictive cycle recommences. Relapse is not unusual and indeed is probably better viewed as part of the journey towards recovery. The majority of addicts repeat the cycle of change many times before they are able to sustain long-term sobriety. If you do relapse, learning why may help you avoid it next time.
 
Signs of relapse
Being clean from any addiction is an ongoing process that requires both abstinence from mood-altering substances and changes in your behaviour, attitudes, feelings and thinking. When we are at risk of relapse, we may allow more negative behaviour, thinking, attitudes and feelings to creep in. Below is a list of relapse symptoms, the list is not exhaustive but may help you recognise whether you are in danger.
 
Behaviour

  • Arguing more frequently for no apparent reason
  • Getting angry easily
  • Smoking more/increasing caffeine intake
  • Eating irregularly or more than before
  • Being compulsive in another area, such as cleaning, washing or exercising
  • Losing your daily structure
  • Attending fewer fellowship meetings or stopping altogether

 
Attitudes

  • Convinced you will never ever use again
  • Negative about life
  • Lying and manipulating others
  • Openly rejecting help from others
  • Dissatisfied with life
  • Losing confidence in your ability to remain abstinent
  • Imposing your recovery on other people
  • Adopting a non-structured lifestyle, no boundaries
  • Not caring about sobriety

 
Feelings

  • Moody and/or depressed
  • Angry with self or others
  • Euphoric
  • Bored
  • Self-pitying with self-defeating beliefs
  • Lonely and isolated
  • Unresolved guilt and shame
  • Unreasonably resentful
  • Hopeless, there seem to be no solutions
  • Wanting to be happy but not knowing how
  • Fearful about the future or life without using
  • Hungry, angry, lonely or tired and believing using would relieve the symptoms

 
Thinking

  • Believing you are cured and could now control your intake (reactivation of denial)
  • Minimising the effects and consequences of addiction on your life
  • Thinking you can drink as long as you stay off cocaine or cross-addicting to another process or substance
  • Being unable to concentrate or achieve tasks or goals
  • Focusing solely on one area of your life (having tunnel vision)
  • Having periods of confusion
  • Being less able to plan constructively, inattention to detail
  • Daydreaming, always thinking “if only…”
  • Believing alcohol/drugs/using is necessary in order to have fun
  • Growing impatient with the recovery plan, things aren’t happening fast enough

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