Why Addiction is a Relapse prone disease and what to do about it
We understand that addiction is hard to deal with because it is a disease of the brain and addicts are highly relapse prone. Addiction is a kind of a hell that consumes the soul of the addict and breaks the hearts of the people he loves. But that doesn’t mean you are helpless about it.
One day you might feel like you have totally recovered and the next day your emotions and cravings may feel like a war zone and bring you back to square one. Remember, just because you hit the bottom doesn’t mean you need to stay there. Bouncing back is the key to actual recovery. Live one day at a time. Experience one set back and one victory at a time. Understanding how ‘Relapse’ happens is the key to permanent recovery.
Why Do Addicts Relapse?
Of every two people who seek addiction treatment, one is bound to relapse. It had been observed that at least 40 to 60% of addicts relapse during the treatment period. This is because of the nature of the substances of abuse to produce dopamine (a pleasure hormone) when consumed by the user. Prolonged periods of drug/alcohol abuse rewires the brain of the user by re-setting his/her priorities. As a result, individuals have to go through a whole new experience of re-training their brain to see healthy living as the new standard for survival. Most of the time, lack of pleasure, trauma associated with withdrawal symptoms, or memories become the triggers for relapse in an addict during abstinence.
How Does Relapse Happen?
Leaving the substance of abuse in an instant to achieve sobriety doesn’t hold with addicts as in the case of other physiological diseases because addiction is a disease of the mind and has no complete cure. It takes a lot of determination and commitment to attain and maintain sobriety for an addict. Several factors may drive an addict to relapse. Though most of them are extrinsic, the emotional and habitual patterns of the recovered addict have proven to be the real cause of relapse among many of them. Meaning, relapse is a mind related phenomenon.
Sobriety cannot be achieved, it needs to be maintained
People always expect to go back to their normal lives once the treatment is finished. But the bitter truth is that sobriety is not always guaranteed. The end of rehab tenure implies going back to the old place where the recovered addict used to abuse drugs/alcohol. The fact that there could be many memories and emotions of drug administering associated with that place and there could be the old social groups around which the addict used to hang out with may evoke emotions and the urge to go back to his/her old habits again. Triggers include feelings, thoughts, emotions, situations, things, places, or relationships that create an urge to go back to drug use. This is when relapse mostly occurs.
Overcoming social stigma
The social stigma associated with drug abuse also makes the recovered addict’s family and friends lose trust in him. Also, crippled financial status and long gaps in working habits coupled with the absence of dopamine pushes the person in question to the limits of persistence and causes them to relapse again because they find no purpose in their life. Overcoming social stigma is crossing an important barrier en-route recovery which is possible only with sheer determination and self-love.
Other causes for relapse
- Anxiety or depression
- Physical illness
- Friends who negatively impact your recovery
- Peers, co-workers, or unfavourable individuals
- Anger issues
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Certain social events
- Life crisis
- Emotional events
- Major life changes, such as moving
Relapse is not the end of sobriety
But the good news is that relapse is not the end of sobriety. The key is not to make any significant decisions when you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Cravings are common during abstinence. You need to wait until you feel stable or have enough support. Being aware of your biggest triggers is crucial in recovery. Make choices with a clear mind when you don’t feel any triggers. people generally relapse when they feel that an aspect of life is out of their control and they find no proper support in life. Therefore, it’s incredibly helpful to understand whom to turn to if any of these things feel overwhelming during your course.
Importance of maintaining treatment plans after rehab
Treatment does not stop at rehab. A patient needs to continue to maintain treatment plans after rehab too. The patient needs to avoid triggers forever and create a purpose in life to stay occupied. To avoid triggers may include staying away from friends who still do drugs. When an addict takes the conscious steps towards recovery, it increases his/her chances of maintaining sobriety for a lifetime.
Aftercare at rehabs includes the steps a patient needs to take to prevent relapse. The patients need to use withdrawal relief medication if necessary and attend therapy every once in a while.
Phoenix Rehab Services is a leading Rehabilitation Centre in India for Substance Abuse and Behavioural Addiction. At Phoenix, we can help provide the right tools to you or your loved ones on the journey to lead a healthy life free from addiction. Our reliable & effective Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program is headed and supported by experienced & dedicated de-addiction therapists and is driven by motivated staff that is equipped to handle the various needs of patients and has years of experience in treating addiction.
