How relapse occurs?

HOW RELAPSE OCCURS?

Abdullah Baniyameen
baniyameen@aol.com
June 24, 2009

WARNING SIGNS OF RELAPSE:

۩ Changes in ATTITUDE,
۩ Changes in THOUGHT,
۩ Changes in FEELINGS,
۩ Changes in BEHAVIOR.

1. Changes in ATTITUDE:

The recovering addict begins to be complacent, and stops his recovery program.

Indicators:

• Not caring about sobriety,
• Becoming too negative about life,
• Overconfidence,
• Tunnel vision,
• Impatience.
  

2. Changes in THOUGHT:

The recovering person gets back to his old thinking pattern.

Indicators:

• Thinking that he/she 'deserves drugs' because he/she has been sober for quite some time.
• Thinking that he/she can use substitute drugs like alcohol or marijuana.
• Thinking that the problem is cured since he/she had been abstaining for some time.
  

3. Changes in FEELINGS:

The recovering person begins to respond negatively in situations.

Indicators:

• Increased moodiness or depression,
• Strong feelings of angers and resentment,
• Increased feelings of boredom & loneliness.
  

4. Changes in BEHAVIOR:

Can be noticed by others through his/her behavioural responses. The person begins relating again to the set of people, places and activities which revolves around substance abuse.

Indicators:

• Visible signs of stress such as smoking more cigarettes.
• Talking repeatedly about the pleasures associated with drug use (war stories).
• Hanging out with drug taking friends.
• Skipping meetings or support group.

FACTORS LEADING TO RELAPSE:

• POOR COMMITMENT,
• HIGH RISK SITUATIONS,
• HIGH RISK EMOTIONAL STATES,
• INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS,
• SOCIAL PRESSURES.
  

POOR COMMITMENT TO STOP USING DRUGS:

• Decided to stop drug use when confronted with negative consequences of drug use (illness, family problems, financial difficulties, loss of friends),
• After sometime, he/she begins to forget the negative effects caused by the drug and the pleasurable memories begins to occur.
  

HIGH RISK SITUATIONS:

• Situations or circumstances which the person previously used drugs. They are powerful reminders of past drug use, and act as cues for reinforcement of drug taking behaviour. (people, places, activities)
  

HIGH RISK EMOTIONAL STATES:

• A feeling that leads to the person's drug use in the past. (frustration, depression, rejection, sadness, loneliness, boredom, extreme happiness),
• These feelings can awaken the tendency for the person to use drug.
  

INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS:

• Arguments and confrontations with others (family, friends, girlfriend/boyfriend, colleagues can trigger a relapse,
• These conflicts create stressful situations and fill the person with tension and negative feelings.
  

SOCIAL PRESSURES:

• Trying so hard to fit in a group. The need to belong and accepted by friends.
• Image projection – trying to be someone that they are not.
  

RELAPSE PREVENTION:

RELAPSE PREVENTION IS A BEHAVIOUR SELF CONTROL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TRAIN INDIVIDUAL TO MAINTAIN CHANGES IN THEIR BEHAVIOUR. IT MUST BECOME A WAY OF LIFE AND BE INTEGRATED INTO EVERY ASPECT OF RECOVERY.

THE GOALS OF RELAPSE PREVENTION PROGRAM ARE:

• Developing new coping skills for handling high – risk situations,
• Identifying relapse warning signs,
• Making healthy lifestyle changes,
• Increase productive activities.
  

PHYSICAL RECOVERY:

• Taking care of health,
• Regular sleep,
• Recreational activities,
  

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BEHAVIORAL RECOVERY:

• Building self esteem,
• Taking up responsibilities and managing them,
• Cultivating values like honesty, sincerity etc.
  

SOCIAL RECOVERY:

• Spending time with family and positive friends,
• Developing positive network,
• Healthy relationship with opposite sex,
• Taking on specific role as a family member, community members, friend etc.
  

SPIRITUAL RECOVERY:

• Enhance moral and spiritual values.
  

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