Coping Styles in Persons Recovering From Substance Abuse

New coping styles are needed for those recovering from alcohol and drug addiction, because substance abuse (addiction) is defined as a chronic relapsing disease. An individual addicted to alcohol or drugs can return to substance abuse, even after years of choosing a sober and drug-free lifestyle. Many associations leading to relapse in former alcohol and drug abusers are related to habitual behavior of which the recovering individual may or may not be aware. Relapse is strongly related to routine habits and behaviors, most of which are firmly established; therefore, addiction counselors teach newly recovering persons relapse prevention skills to assist them in their struggle to remain drug and alcohol free.

Avoidance

• While avoidance appears to be a negative coping style at first glance, it is strongly encouraged by substance abuse professionals and recovery groups in general. In most cases, many of the newly recovering person's old friends were also drug users. Many of the places he frequented were likely places where alcohol or drugs were used. In order to avoid relapse into alcohol or drug use, the recovering individual often adopts a coping style of avoiding those people and places that would tempt him to use alcohol or drugs as before. Relapse triggers are easily avoided through avoidance of familiar people and places associated with prior drug or alcohol experience.

Physical Exercise

• Many recovering alcoholics and addicts use physical exercise as a coping style to deal with cravings for alcohol or their drug of choice. Exercise creates natural endorphins in the body that produce positive emotions and reduce stress and instances of depression, both of which could lead to relapse thinking and behavior. Exercise also promotes good physical and mental health in the individual, both directly related to the tendency to use alcohol or drugs. Exercise has long-term effects that include a general feeling of health, well-being, and vitality that encourage the individual to remain in his healthier recovery lifestyle rather than harbor thoughts of returning to unhealthy substance abuse.

Diet

• Coping styles in persons recovering from substance abuse include healthier eating habits that include less sugar, stimulants and junk food. Many foods containing large amounts of sugar, caffeine or fat, tend to produce anxiety or depression in those who eat them frequently and without restraint. Anxiety and depression are closely related to substance abuse for many recovering persons in that the person often used his drug of choice to avoid these sensations. High sugar intake has been determined to cause alcohol craving in some individuals, and anxiety tends to produce a desire to drink or use in those who abused central nervous system depressants. Improved eating habits promote better health and encourage better care of one's self, both negatively correlated with substance abuse.

Novel Experiences

• Many former substance abusers find that new experiences such as new hobbies, travel and new work opportunities help them think of former drug use less often. Since relapse is strongly related to relapse triggers, which are cues in one's environment that produce memories of prior drug use, as well as craving sensations and the desire to use, new behavior in general helps the recovering person avoid these experiences. Unlike coping styles that deal primarily with avoidance, finding new experiences replaces the old behaviors and habits with new, more positive behaviors and habits.

Support Groups

• Many recovering persons find emotional support and alcohol- and drug-free relationships within recovery support groups. The oldest and most well known of these are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA); however, many other recovery support groups, such as rational recovery, are also available today for recovering persons who do not wish to work a twelve-step program. Recovery groups often host social events and get-togethers specifically designed to help the newly recovering addict or alcoholic form new friends and learn how to socialize without the use of substances. Recovery groups are also often specific to the particular drug abused or the lifestyle of the individual alcoholic or addict involved.