Relapse Treatment
For a person with an addiction, a relapse occurs when the individual resumes the addiction with which he or she struggles. This may include alcohol or drug use, gambling, binging with food, or many other addictions. People affected by mental health conditions may also relapse when their symptoms (depression, anxiety, etc.) worsen or when they stop a course of treatment (such as taking medication) that has been helpful in controlling symptoms.
Relapses usually are not spontaneous events. For example, in the days or weeks before an alcohol relapse, the alcoholic may first drive by the bar that he or she formerly frequented. Perhaps he may stop in to visit old friends, believing he is just visiting. The person with the drug addiction may begin skipping treatment sessions or 12-Step meetings, and the person with depression may miss medication dosages or appointments with his or her doctor or counselor.
Relapse treatment focuses on several things. Events that occur before a relapse are an important focus of relapse treatments, acting as warning signs of those risks that may affect future recovery. Relapse treatment also helps us focus on opportunities for learning - for example, a relapse prevention or relapse treatment plan can help you or your loved one evaluate why a certain trigger may have such an impact on emotions or behavior.
Relapse treatments may help you or your loved one prepare for inevitable situations, such as unavoidable triggers, by helping to build communication, practice anger management, or learn problem-solving skills.
Relapses are Part of the Recovery Process
Most importantly, relapse treatment educates you or your loved one that even people determined to maintain a recovery focus may experience several "slips" or relapses before achieving long-term recovery. Relapses are common and do not represent failure. Just as one must get back on the bike to learn to ride, relapse treatments tells us that it is just as important to resume the recovery process without being critical or angry at yourself or your loved one. Hitting rock bottom is no longer a mantra of relapse treatment programs. More important is the person's response to the relapse after it occurs.
To learn more about relapse, refer to these friendly and informative workbooks:
For information about premier relapse treatment programs, click here. For a free confidential assessment, click here.
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