Addiction is a physical and mental strain on the body and mind. The potential for relapse remains constant throughout the life of a person with a substance use disorder (SUD). Relapse isn't only falling back into using alcohol or drugs but also going back to old behaviors. Before you drink or use a drug, you experience stages of relapse. These stages don't occur all at once. Instead, the stages are gradual and linked with different events in your life.
How Do I Know if I Am Relapsing?
Relapse is when you start drinking alcohol or using a substance again. Before you blame yourself for a relapse, remember regression is gradual. Your relapse began a long-time ago, maybe weeks or months ago. Spotting a trigger when you start to fall back into past behaviors isn't always easy. At some point, you lose focus on what you learned while you were in treatment. You can work with a therapist or attend substance abuse support meetings. Both support systems can guide you to understand the three stages of relapse.
What Are the Stages of Relapse?
Emotional Relapse
When you are in an emotional relapse, you aren't thinking about using a substance. The memory of a previous relapse or the consequences of your SUD can prevent you from repeating your substance misuse. The problem with emotional relapse is that, even though you aren't thinking about using a substance, your behavior and emotions put you in a position to use it again. Since you aren't thinking about picking up a drink or using a drug, you may deny how you are feeling.
Feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression can trigger an emotional relapse if you don't seek help. The emotional actions and reactions to situations can determine if you are on a path towards relapse. If you think you are either in an emotional relapse or are at risk, check if any of these symptoms apply to you:
Bottled-up emotions. How you express your feelings can develop during your childhood or adult life and is heavily influenced by your culture. In many cultures, there is the expectation that men don't show emotions like crying. They're supposed to keep it all inside. However, healthily expressing your feelings is vital to your mental health.
Isolation. There are times when you want to be alone. Taking time for yourself is fine, but pushing others away when you need emotional support is not healthy.
Not going to meetings or not participating in discussions. Whether it is a structured support group or a gathering of like-minded people, your support system is vital to your sobriety.
Focusing on others' problems.
Decreased appetite or sleep.
Another part of emotional release is a decrease in caring for yourself. Self-care includes therapy, emotional care, and physical care.
Mental Relapse
Mental relapse is when your mind is battling the urge to use and the desire not to use. When you go further into mental relapse, your ability to think about why you shouldn't use decreases. The need to escape your mind increases. The signs of mental relapse include:
Craving alcohol or drugs
Thinking about people, places, or things that are associated with your substance use
Forgetting the reality of your substance abuse. Unfortunately, the tendency to overlook or glamorize your past use isn't uncommon during a mental relapse
Bargaining with yourself
Lying to yourself or others
Trying to find ways you can control your use
Finding excuses to relapse
Actively planning a relapse
Occasional thoughts of relapse are expected, especially in early recovery. However, when you have them frequently, you should find help in your support group or therapy.
Physical Relapse
Physical relapse is evident because it is when you start using again. Most people relapse because they find a window of opportunity to drink or use a substance. Whether it's a chance opportunity or a planned chance to drink or use a drug again, you used.
Are There Different Types of Physical Relapse?
Some researchers believe there are two types of relapse: lapse and relapse.
A lapse occurs when you take the first drink or use a drug once. Too often, the temptation to have a sip or use a drug is what drives you to lapse. A problem with a lapse is you may justify the use or the amount you drank or used. The focus isn't on the fact you used a substance. Another aspect of a lapse is the increased risk of mental relapse. You can become preoccupied with thinking about using a substance again. Setbacks also have the potential to lead to relapse.
According to some researchers, relapse occurs when you use a substance more than once. They also believe a relapse includes the inability to control your use.
Relapses are a part of addiction. You may never relapse physically but still have relapsed emotionally or mentally multiple times. Maybe you saw an opportunity to start using again and went for it. The unpredictability of addiction and relapse is why you should have a robust support system. After completing your addiction treatment program, it is essential to be active in support groups, aftercare, or therapy. Active participation in any of these forms of support can decrease your risk of having any relapse. If you do relapse, you can start over. Monte Cristo Recovery is a low-cost detoxification center focused on your needs. Our program includes medical staff, a chef, and the comfort you need to heal. Your relapse doesn't define who you are. You have the power to accept the relapse and learn. The first step is to admit you made a mistake and seek help. For more information about our program, call (714) 824-9896.