Drug Addiction Treatment - How to approach Relapse
Although relapse is a very common occurrence, it is still confusing and frightening for addicts, their friends, as well as their families. It often strikes at unexpected times - even when substance abusers happen to be diligent using their post-treatment recovery efforts. The causes of relapse rely on addicts' individual circumstances, not their unique drugs, and recovery efforts are highly individual.
The seriousness of relapse varies greatly. Sometimes addicts will experience minor slips - one-time drug uses followed by immediate returns to clean living. They will often enter outpatient rehab programs to obtain back on track. They get the same evidence-based therapies as inpatients, but they only attend their clinics for some hours per day. They're then liberated to spend the remainder of their time tending to their own families, careers, and other personal obligations. Overall, people who slip need just a bit of extra help to maintain the changes in lifestyle they made during more intensive treatment programs.
However, some addicts experience much longer-term relapses. Because of stress, the influence of drug-using friends, or other addiction triggers, they may go back to heavy drug abuse for months or years. Despite the progress they made before, they may wind up living just like they did before they ever sought treatment. For these people, inpatient rehab programs are usually required. Their long relapses undo a lot of their positive changes in lifestyle, plus they need highly involved treatment plans to achieve sobriety once again. They might also need a high level of supervision to step back from drugs of sufficient length to redevelop effective coping strategies.
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is often the reason for addicts' relapses. PAWS sets in soon after the withdrawal of detox subsides, but it often lingers for months or even years after treatment programs are complete. Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, constant physical pain, and cognitive impairment compel many sufferers to quickly go back to drug use. In fact, PAWS may be the leading cause of relapse among recovering addicts. Rehab clinics across the country are now making mitigation of these symptoms a high priority.
Regardless of the social stigmas associated with addiction, relapse is nothing to become ashamed of. Since it is so likely, most rehab specialists treat it included in the constant learning process of dealing with addiction. What is most important for relapsed addicts is they continue to seek treatment and stay diligent using their recovery efforts.
If you are experiencing addiction or experiencing a relapse, click on the links below to locate a treatment facility near you. Whether you've already received treatment or never set foot in a clinic, a alcohol and drugs detox program will help you return to the right track. Don't hold back until it's too late - get help today.