Many people avoid recovery a second or third (or more) time because they fear that they will keep relapsing. The question of “What if I keep relapsing?” can keep people stuck in their addiction for far too long. The real question should be, “What if recovery works this time?” The answer to that question is a whole new way of life.
What if I Keep Relapsing?
Many people don’t understand just how common relapse is currently in the U.S. (and around the world). According to the peer-reviewed journal Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment. For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.”
The unfortunate reality is that, while it is not a part of everyone’s story, relapse is a part of many people’s recovery journey. The key is to keep working at it and never give up hope. Addiction is a relapsing “disease,” and, yes, addiction is a disease.
Better Understanding Addiction
Most addiction professionals and medical specialists now agree on the disease model of addiction. This is the model that addiction has more in common with other chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
This goes against the old misconceptions that addiction is some moral failing or “choice.” If it were a choice, then people would be able to stop from relapsing before it even happened. This is not the case because addiction is a cunning, baffling, and powerful disease.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
So, how do you know if you have a problem with addiction? The key is to know the signs and symptoms early so you can reach out for help as soon as possible. Of course, the signs and symptoms are different based on the addiction and its severity, but there are some universal red flags. The following are just a few:
- Excessively thinking about drinking alcohol and/or using substances
- Feeling overly anxious and depressed
- Experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Isolating yourself from family and close friends
- Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed
- Not being able to stop drinking alcohol or using substances after starting
- Struggles with sleep cycles (insomnia and hypersomnia)
- Negative changes in appetite (undereating and overeating)
- Losing interest in one’s physical appearance
- Experiencing mood swings
- Feelings of self-harm and wanting to harm others
- Having suicidal ideations
Now, as you can see, these are serious red flags, which is why seeking professional help sooner rather than later is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
Why Am I Relapsing?
Many people relapse because they have not found the right recovery plan. You need a plan that works specifically for you. That is why finding a recovery center that creates individualized plans is so essential.
A recovery plan should also focus on relapse prevention. This means having therapies in place that can help with negative behaviors, mindfulness, and acceptance. Evidence-based psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can greatly help with this.
EMDR can be very helpful in reducing cravings and other negative behaviors that can lead to a relapse. It also offers many other benefits. EMDR is also helpful because it addresses the cause of the addictive behavior rather than the behavior itself. According to the peer-reviewed Permanente Journal, “Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an empirically validated psychotherapy approach that medical personnel can employ to treat the sequelae of psychological trauma and other negative life experiences. Its ability to rapidly treat unprocessed memories of these adverse experiences has important implications for the medical community, as they appear to be the foundation for an array of clinical symptoms.”
How Do I Stop Relapsing?
The best way to stop relapsing is to keep trying. Eventually, you will find the right treatment that works for you. But if you don’t keep going, you will never find out.
Life is too precious to give up. Keep reaching out and asking for help. The time will come when you will succeed and live that new life that you’ve been hoping and working for.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This includes relapse prevention plans.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then you are ready to recover. Don’t let the relapses win. You can do this! We can help.
Many people experience “chronic relapsing” and know how important it is to keep trying. The reality is that many people experience multiple relapses before getting sober. However, there are effective solutions to avoid relapses. This includes using psychotherapy, experiential therapy, and holistic healing methods such as yoga and mindfulness meditation. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information on how to overcome repeated relapses, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
