Recognizing Signs of Relapse

When someone is in recovery from a substance use disorder, aka "addiction" we hope and pray that it will last for ever. The truth is that just like with many other illness, it might not. 60% of people in recovery experience a relapse in some point of their lives.
A great friend once told me that if someone relapses, you can't discount all the work and time it took to stay in recovery in the first place. She said it was like going on a diet and losing 100 pounds, but eating a box of cookies over the weekend and gaining 10 back…..YOU CAN'T discount the fact that you still lost 90 pounds! You just get back on track!
Having a strong network of friends and family to provide love and support is so important!

Here are a few warning signs that you and they can watch out for. 

• Romanticizing or longing for the old days
• Believing you are strong enough to use again without falling back into addiction
• Starting to reconnect with old friends from your addiction days
• Becoming defensive and no longer able to accept constructive criticism
• Beginning the pattern of denial that was present during the addiction
• Changes in attitude or behavior
• Sudden feelings of depression and loneliness
• Breaking down of social relationships
• Beginning to feel extremely stressed out and constantly tense
• Resenting those who are trying to help
• Withdrawal symptoms suddenly start to reappear
• Loss of belief of their recovery program.
• Thinking "only one drink" won't hurt

Remember treating someone with respect, speaking to them like the human being they are, telling them you support them if they need help (just as you would with any other illness) instead of yelling and judging will be more productive and you'll get better results.