8 Warning Signs Of Relapse

For anyone who has a history of substance abuse and is in recovery, the risk of relapse is a very real possibility. Rather than ignoring it when providing addiction treatment, Summit Behavioral Health offers a dedicated relapse prevention program to our clients to lower the risk that they will return to previous behaviors. We want them to use the tools they have learned in treatment for long-term sobriety.

A drug relapse doesn’t happen all at once. Just like addiction, it is a slippery slope that people in recovery move toward and get caught up in. There are warning signs that should be red flags that someone is headed down that path, and a long term relapse prevention program will go over the types of signs that clients need to be on the lookout for so that they know when they need additional support.

8 Warning Signs Of Relapse

  1. The person stops doing the work he or she needs to do to stay sober, such as going to 12-step meetings, attending counseling sessions, or getting treatment for a mental health issue.
  2. They may remember past drug use as “the good times” and skip over the negative consequences of their past.
  3. They start acting selfish and moody, i.e. the same way as when they were using.
  4. The person starts thinking that “one pill” or “one hit” would be all right and couldn’t hurt their recovery.
  5. They may start to look up old friends from the days when they were using.
  6. The person becomes defensive if anyone brings up the changes in their behavior and attitude. The denial and self-righteousness are defense mechanisms to try to hide the fact that the person is moving closer towards starting to use drugs again.
  7. The person pulls away from things and people that keep him or her balanced and away from drug use. He or she may stop calling people who until recently were a source of support or start lying to friends and family members to keep from having to explain what is going on.
  8. The person may neglect his or her physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

How To Deal With Signs Of Relapse

Our relapse prevention program for long term recovery teaches clients that it’s normal to go through stages where they will feel the urge to use drugs and/or alcohol again. All of our clients will have certain thoughts or situations that act as triggers that stimulate the desire to revert to previous behaviors.

We teach our clients to understand how to identify these situations when they are vulnerable to a relapse. Our clients also learn how they can get help and support to deal with their difficult feelings and stay committed to their sober lifestyle.

To have slipped does not mean to have failed. Recovery is a journey, not a destination. Find out more about our relapse prevention and our other programs by calling us now.

Tap to GET HELP NOW: (844) 326-4514