Relapse - Not a Requirement for Recovery

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Addiction Relapse - Not a Requirement for Recovery

When you are a recovering addict or alcoholic, you encounter quite a few opinions and ideas about how to become clean and sober and how to stay that way. Many people feel that relapse is a part of the recovery process, but this does not have to be the case. While relapse often does and can happen, it is not a requirement for the recovery process.

Recovery is a never ending process and the recovering individual continues to grow and evolve throughout the entire journey. No matter where a recovering addict is on the journey, the key focus is always going to be on preventing a relapse. Stability during the recovery process is essential – addicts are less likely to relapse when they have structure.

Another key to preventing relapses is understanding the possible triggers that may precede a relapse. Some of the warning signs of an impending relapse may include:

Dishonesty – It may begin with what you believe are innocuous lies, but at the same time, this deceitfulness is unnecessary. Perhaps a family member or friend asks you something as simple as whether you plan to stop by the store on your way home and you are dishonest. These little deceits establish a pattern that ultimately leads to you being dishonest with yourself, which puts you at an increased risk for a relapse.

Impatience – One of the main characteristics of addicts and alcoholics is impatience. If you wish achieve sobriety and maintain it, you will need to learn patience. You will need to learn that the need for instant gratification will lead you astray. When it comes to avoiding relapses, patience truly is a virtue.

Depression – It is not uncommon after for newly sober addicts to experience moments of depression. This is because it is often difficult to fill the void that giving up drugs or alcohol creates. It sounds a little insane to the average person, but in a sense, when an addict gets clean and/or sober, he experiences a loss. It is important to recognize and acknowledge these feelings in order to move past them and maintain recovery.

Becoming Complacent – It is extremely dangerous for a recovering addict to become complacent and assume that you no longer need the support of your network. Since there will always be difficulties and challenges, it is important to utilize all the resources available to you. There is no “cure”, and leading yourself to believe otherwise will only lead to relapse.

Though many addicts have traveled down the road to recovery, relapsed and fallen by the wayside, only to emerge on the path to recovery again does not mean that you need to follow the same path. Yes, it is true that a relapse may make you more determined in some cases, but there is also the possibility that it may end you as well. Therefore, keep in mind that despite what you may have been told, relapse is not a requirement for recovery.

Copyright 2011, C. King, M.Ed., Sober Sources Network