Alcohol relapse is going back to drinking after a period of abstinence, usually accompanied by the return of alcohol dependence symptoms.
Relapse prevention is the reason a lot of people seek treatment. This page is for those who are abstaining from alcohol and want to learn how to avoid an alcohol relapse. Relapse prevention is a kind of treatment that aims to teach alcohol dependent persons coping abilities to help them prevent relapsing back to using alcohol.
When a recovering alcoholic has a relapse it can seem like the end of the world. All the hard work that went into getting off alcohol and then living a clean and sober life gone to waste.... or has it?
There are those (particularly those in Alcoholics Anonymous), who believe that relapse is an essential part of recovering from alcoholism. We need an alcohol relapse in order to remind us of how bad it was when we were actively drinking. There well may be some truth to this.
An alcohol relapse can indeed shake us out of our apathy when life seems to be getting easy. When things are going well we tend to forget that it can quite easily get very, very difficult.
Just got sober, want to stay that way? A relapse prevention plan is a must.
However, this is to ignore those who relapse and never quit drinking again, eventually dieing from the condition. Their relapse certainly was not a part of their recovery, it was the end of it. A relapse can go on for years and cause untold damage. Why risk it?
I am of the opinion that avoiding relapse is the best course of action. Yes if you do relapse then don't beat yourself up about it, but it would be far better not to relapse at all.
One way of minimizing your risk of alcohol relapse is to identify relapse triggers. Relapse triggers are different for each individual, but generally they are feelings, emotions, people and events that are potential reasons for relapse.
Alcohol relapse can be triggered by any number of things. Below I have listed the most common thought processes that can lead to a return to drinking.
Keep in mind that just because you have these thoughts does not mean you are destined to drink. What they do mean, however, is that you are getting negative, an alcoholic knows how to make these bad feelings disappear, at least momentarily, ......have a drink.
Being aware of the reasons for alcohol relapse is half the battle, awareness leads to positive action.
Dry Drunk Syndrome is a sign of impending relapse. Learn what to look out for by reading Dry Drunk Syndrome.
A surefire way to avoiding relapse is to be able to recognize in yourself, the alcohol relapse triggers outlined above. When such thoughts/emotions arise it is time to unburden yourself:
Whatever you do, don't bottle it up. Negative thoughts beget negative thoughts; they become amplified until the noise becomes too much. Alcoholics drown out the noise by drinking.
I generally find 'old Wisdom' sayings annoying, probably because they are so true. "A problem shared, is a problem halved' is one such saying, and is so true when it comes to recovery and avoiding alcohol relapse.
Talk about it and avoid a return to active alcoholism.
If you notice the signs of alcohol relapse and know the symptoms and how to prevent a relapse, you can catch yourself in time. Help is available. Contact a dedicated treatment provider today to know more about alcoholic relapse and alcoholism treatment options.
Terence Gorski and Merlene Miller have written the definitive guide to avoiding relapse. By studying countless cases of relapse, they have been able to identify the triggers, both emotional and situational, that cause recovering addicts to return to drinking. Staying Sober: A Guide for Relapse Prevention is an invaluable resource for all those who struggle to stay sober.
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Lead Writer/Reviewer : Kayla Loibl
Licensed Medical Health Professional
Hello!
I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. Read More
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