Substance abuse Treatment - How to approach Relapse
Although relapse is a common occurrence, it is still confusing and frightening for addicts, their friends, and their families. It often strikes at unexpected times - even when substance abusers happen to be diligent with their post-treatment recovery efforts. What causes relapse depend on addicts' individual circumstances, not their unique drugs, and recovery efforts are highly individual.
The seriousness of relapse varies greatly. Sometimes addicts are experiencing minor slips - one-time drug uses followed by immediate returns to clean living. They will often enter outpatient rehab programs to get back on track. They receive the same evidence-based therapies as inpatients, however they only attend their clinics for a few hours per day. They are then free to spend the remainder of their time looking after their families, careers, and other personal obligations. Overall, people who slip need just a bit of additional assistance to maintain the lifestyle changes they provided during more intensive treatment programs.
However, some addicts experience much longer-term relapses. Due to stress, the influence of drug-using friends, or any other addiction triggers, they may go back to heavy drug abuse for months or years. Despite the progress they provided before, they might end up living just like they did before they ever sought treatment. For these people, inpatient rehab programs are often required. Their long relapses undo many of their positive changes in lifestyle, and they need highly involved treatment plans to achieve sobriety once more. They might also need a high level of supervision to step back from drugs long enough to redevelop effective coping strategies.
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is often the reason for addicts' relapses. PAWS takes hold immediately after the withdrawal of detox subsides, but it often lingers for months as well as years after treatment programs are complete. Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, constant physical pain, and cognitive impairment compel many sufferers to quickly go back to drug use. Actually, PAWS is the leading cause of relapse among recovering addicts. Rehab clinics across the country are now making mitigation of those symptoms a top priority.
Despite the social stigmas related to addiction, relapse is nothing to become embarrassed with. Since it is so likely, most rehab specialists address it as part of the constant learning process of coping with addiction. What's most significant for relapsed addicts is that they still seek treatment and stay diligent using their recovery efforts.
If you are struggling with addiction or experiencing a relapse, click on the links below to locate a treatment facility near you. Whether you've already received treatment or never set foot in a clinic, a drug rehab program can help you get back on the right track. Don't hold back until it's too late - get help today.