For many of us, overcoming addiction will be the most significant challenge we ever face. Preventing relapse means protecting the fruits of that labor. Since we know addiction is much more complex than a lack of self-discipline or willpower—-it follows that the sequence of events leading up to relapse is often complicated, too. This is one of the reasons why NJRC offers a relapse prevention program.
When does relapse begin, and how does it unfold? How can relapse be prevented? This NJRC article
‘The Relapse Begins Before You Pick Up That Drug or Drink’
Anyone familiar with 12-step fellowships has likely encountered this aphorism. It holds truth and wisdom, but what does it really mean, and how can it help practically?
This saying highlights that addiction begins in the mind. The impulse to drink or use drugs happens instantly, but the thoughts and behaviors leading up to that impulse build up over weeks, months, or even years.
It means that most people who relapse first loosen their grip on sobriety. They attend fewer or no AA or NA meetings, stop discussing their feelings with recovery friends, become isolated, and abandon the tools that were helping them stay sober.
How Relapse Occurs in Addiction Recovery
Addiction recovery can be uncomfortable, involving deep self-reflection and accountability, which isn’t always easy.
Relapse often begins when individuals move away from what helped them stay sober. This might seem simple, but it’s a common problem.
After months or years of sobriety, individuals might take their progress for granted. They regain lost aspects of their life, like the car, job, and trust of loved ones, and mistakenly believe addiction is behind them.
They forget that addiction is a chronic disease without a cure. Sobriety and keeping addiction in remission require ongoing maintenance of spiritual and mental health.
Relapse begins with a shift in thinking and behavior. Long before they pick up, a person will usually:
- Stop going to meetings.
- Stop consuming spiritual or self-help media/books.
- Stop sharing openly and honestly with others in recovery.
- Begin to isolate themselves socially.
- Allow resentment and selfish thinking to take root.
How to Avoid Relapse and Protect Sobriety
There is no shortage of 12-step alternatives; many people have succeeded with some of them. At NJRC, we focus on 12-step fellowships like AA and NA for simple reasons: They are the most accessible, and we’ve seen them work. Moreover, studies have proven them effective, which means they meet our evidence-based treatment standard.
Regardless of your path, whether AA, SMART Recovery, or the Sinclair Method, the most important thing is to commit fully to whichever route you choose.
Accountability is an integral part of sobriety, too. No matter how much we believe we can trust ourselves, it’s always wise to have others you check in with and speak to honestly. Ideally, those people will be in recovery, but if they aren’t, they should be morally sound, sober people who know you well and won’t hesitate to point out worrying thoughts or behaviors and hold you to account.
The keys to becoming more relapse-resistant are:
- Stay in the mix: You likely got sober in a group of recovering people and positive influences. Don’t drift away from them now—-stay connected and involved.
- Keep it Green: Do what you need to to keep the things that help you fresh in your mind, such as spiritual or self-help readings and audiobooks, sponsoring others, and H&I work.
- Walk the Walk: Don’t just discuss resentments at meetings. Deal with them. Practice what you preach.
- Remain Accountable: This is a big one. If you’re in a 12-step program, don’t go without a sponsor. You should have sober friends you trust, who know you well enough to spot changes and will speak to you bluntly and support you. We can’t overemphasize how important this one is.
NJRC: Turn The Tables on Addiction—Today
If you have any questions about relapse or addiction treatment in New Jersey, please call us anytime. We can only help if you call.
Is someone you love battling sup? NJRC has helped thousands of families like yours. We can help you, too. The first step is reaching out and making contact.
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