RSS Relapse Treatment
Chronic relapse is one of the biggest problems encountered by the majority of drug users and alcoholics who are trying to make a full and successful addiction recovery in a Relapse Treatment Center. The key contributors or triggers that lead to the occurrence of chronic relapse are many and vary from person to person. A simple analogy is that of a dieter constantly binging on chocolate cake when under a particular circumstance, such as stress, a negative social interaction or a state of depression or isolation. Drug abusers and alcoholics fall under the influence of these same factors but react to them in different ways. These are determining factors in the outcome of any a Relapse Treatment program.
Once a person has participated in an Relapse Treatment program and is allowed to return to his home, there are several situations in which he may be more likely to relapse and start the process of chronic relapse. Anger is one such trigger that may encourage a relapse back to old habits. It has been shown that people who hold anger drink significantly more than those that are not angry. Further, those people who are allowed or able to express their anger in some way before drinking are less likely to drink as much as that of a person who has no opportunity or means by which the anger can be released. In the case of alcoholics, frustration can be as much of a trigger to relapse as anger. The frustration of not being able to control the drinking in itself can be relapse-inducing.
Stress is another very common trigger to relapse, often to escape the source of the stress or the feelings associated with a stressful situation. This very common in one of the most frequently abused drugs in the modern world: nicotine. After the terrorist events which occurred on the 11th of September 2001 in New York City, the abuse of nicotine, marijuana and alcohol increased and over 25% of New Yorkers admitted to drinking more than they did before that traumatic day. An additional problem regarding stress is that alcoholics and drug abusers (or ex-) are more sensitive to stressful situations than others.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not just negative emotions that can trigger relapse. There are some positive emotions that can have exactly the same effect. An example is a celebration or happy event where alcoholics and drug users feel the need to enhance the mood by using. Recovering alcoholics and drug users may feel pressured into returning to this old habit should they expose themselves to this social situation.
Other factors such as fear and the presence of an unrelated disorder can also trigger relapse. These factors must be carefully and fully acknowledged in order to provide the best chances for alcoholics and drug users of making a full addiction recovery in Relapse Treatment.
