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People who have succeeded in their battle with drug or alcohol addiction have a clear memory of where they have been and how damaged their lives became. Recalling the terrible consequences of their drug abuse is a great motivator to stay drug and alcohol free. But obstacles may interfere with a successful recovery. These are natural, normal aspects of daily living. Sometimes they can be large, stressful obstacles such as losing a job or a relationship. This can be the tipping point.
Relapse is Gradual
Relapse does not happen instantly and is never unexpected. Relapse is a gradual process. A process that occurs over time. How easy is it to return to old habits? One slip is all it takes for a person to return to using after a long period of abstinence. Yes, many recovering individuals do slip, taking that first single use. How serious is a single use?
Downward Spiral
If you use just once, can’t you learn from it and get yourself back on the road to recovery? Yes, it is true that some will slip once or even multiple times before becoming “clean” for good. However, many people will return to their previous drug use. A relapse can put them right back where they were. A single use can be the first step to an out-of-control, downward spiral. You might tell yourself “what’s the use, you are right back at the bottom,” or that you are a failure and fall into self-pity.
Still Vulnerable After Many Years
The problem of relapse remains the major challenge to achieving a permanent recovery. Many people going through recovery from drug or alcohol addiction are often doing so with a brain that is functioning differently, with strong memories of their life on drugs or alcohol, a lack of self-control and an intense craving. This combination can leave recovering addicts vulnerable to relapse even after many years of abstinence.
It is important to know that there is no cure for addiction. But there are many tools to keep it effectively managed. Even with tools and strong will-power, individuals will be confronted with stressful obstacles that will produce strong periods of craving to re-use alcohol or drugs.
Social Pressure
Being aware of the pit-falls can prepare individuals to avoid high-risk situations. High-risk situations are those people, places and things that you associate with your past drug or alcohol use. Naturally it is impossible to side-step every conceivable obstacle, especially since cues and triggers come in all forms, shapes and sizes. A cue can be anything from a memory to a taste or smell, and can appear for just an instant causing an intense craving. One of the biggest triggers comes from social pressure. Going to parties or places where people drink or use drugs or alcohol can easily tempt someone in recovery. Revisiting old hang outs where drug or alcohol use occurred, even hearing certain music can be associated with using. Unrelated happy times, such as having sex, can trigger a relapse to enhance the pleasure.
Likewise, it is impossible to avoid traumatic events or even small annoyances that everyone faces, but can be just too much stress for a recovering addict. But the danger exists that returning to those familiar people, places and things will be comforting. This is faulty thinking that leads directly to relapse.
Build a Safety Net
Part of the thinking process of recovery is to build and actively use a safety net. A new group of people, places and things. People who know and accept your drug or alcohol problem and are willing to help and support you in your recovery.
Building a good safety net begins with selecting people who are very close, as in supportive family members, parents, siblings, spouse, close relatives. Those people who are easy to confide in and can offer their advice. Next, expand the safety net to include friends and co-workers who are not associated with any prior drug or alcohol use. These may be old friends that you abandoned in favor of your drug or alcohol friends. It may be difficult at first to reach out to them but by using healthy attitudes of humility, honesty, responsibility, and willingness you can bridge the gap in re-establishing healthy relationships.
It may be difficult to accept that some individuals might not wish to be included in your safety net. Give some thought to their personal situations before requesting their help. They may already have a full plate, or no time to spare.
Add Mentors and Role Models
Expand your safety net further to include mentors and role models that may have successfully overcome their own significant obstacles or who have coped with adversity. Another group in your safety net should be skilled professionals – a counselor, priest or clergy, therapist, teacher – people that can provide expert advice regarding future plans, educational options, employment opportunities and guidance.
Keep a Journal
Other things that will increase the chances of successful recovery could include keeping a detailed diary or journal of your struggles and victories, with the day’s stress and triggers and how you coped with them. Keep it in plain view so you can be reminded and easily add new comments. Keeping a journal is a great way of expressing yourself to yourself. It’s OK to pat yourself on the back or criticize your mis-steps. Just write them down.
No First Use!
Most importantly – don’t let there be a first use – Don’t use no matter what! Read as much as possible about recovering addicts, their problems and their successes.
Understand that addiction recovery can cause negative stress on the family. Adjustments to the demands and realities of recovery might be necessary. Therefore, educate yourself as much as possible on the recovery process for individuals and families.
Join a Support Group
Locate and join local support groups and get involved. Attend regular meetings, get a sponsor to join your safety net. Get acquainted and make new friends that need your support as much as you need theirs.
Keep your safety net close and stay engaged with them as often as often as possible even if it’s a five minute phone call. They will play a significant role in keeping you from falling and sliding into old thinking errors and behaviors. And listen to them! Follow their advice without arguing. They are there to help you. Advise them of your fears and challenges.
Be Prepared for Obstacles
If you keep your recovery in good, positive working order, you might never experience any relapse. However, part of an effective recovery plan is being ready for obstacles that may arise.
If you fall, get right back up. Seek the advice of your safety net, sponsor and support group. Don’t let yourself wallow in self-pity. Feeling sorry for yourself is not positive or productive. Get back to living your life in a well-balanced manner. Learn more about lifestyle balance to avoid doing things that may develop into bad habits. For example, bad eating habits, lack of exercise or staying out late with “friends” at the expense of neglecting your family.
Recovery is not easy but all it takes is determination, living one day at a time, remembering the terrible consequences, and recalling how damaged your life used to be.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
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