The Definition of Relapse Prevention

In the world of addiction to substances like drugs, alcohol and even food, relapse is a common problem. According to Relapse-Prevention,org, 54 percent of drug and alcohol addicts will suffer a relapse at some point, with 61 percent of those relapsing multiple times.

Relapse Defined

• In order to know how to prevent relapses from occurring, it is first necessary to understand what is meant by a relapse. Dual Recovery Anonymous defines a relapse as the act of taking the first drug or drink after a period of sobriety. Even if only one drink or one dose of a drug is taken, the addict is still considered to have resumed the behavior of "using."

Start of Relapse

• A relapse typically starts well before the first drug, drink, or eating binge begins. Often, it can start with a subtle breach in the aftercare program or the recurrence of a thought process that the addict had while using. The urge or need to abuse substances again will become stronger until the addict finally gives in to temptation.

Causes

• What causes an addict to relapse is particular to each addict, In some situations, a major life event such as divorce, the loss of a job or the loss of a loved one can trigger the behavior. For others, the constant accessibility to substances, such as going to bars with friends on a regular basis can be the culprit. Some may become overwhelmed by stressful work or personal situations and feel the need to escape.

Preventive Measures

• The best way to deal with relapse is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. The addict should have the support of friends and family, as well as a list of people to call at the first sign that a relapse could occur. It is also to compile a list of positive actions that could be taken in place of the addictive behavior.

What to Do

• If a relapse occurs, it is important for the addict not to feel guilt or to give up hope for recovery. Instead, the addict should seek help from a professional to get back on track. Part of the process is to take the time to analyze what caused the relapse to occur. If a treatment program was in place, this could involve looking for possible gaps in the plan and making modifications if necessary.