Last year, the Huffington Post covered the story of Demi Lovato – who released a song called “Sober”, which talks about her potential relapse and drug overdose. Relapse is incredibly common for people in recovery, but for those who are “outsiders” to this world, there begs the common question: Why do people relapse, and what makes them most at risk for relapsing? If you’re a friend or a loved one of a person in addiction recovery, understanding how relapse works could be beneficial to your support.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that some risk factors may be more powerful than others, depending on a person’s mental, physical and spiritual state. The following are risk factors for relapse:
- Stress – in moments of distress, a person is at greater risk for relapsing as substances can take away that stress for a brief period of time
- Mental illness – disorders such as with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and more add an extra layer of complexity for those in recovery to work through; and, given the “right” circumstances, a person may be more prone to abusing substances depending on their symptoms
- Substance use – if there are people using substances around a person who is trying to maintain sobriety, they may be convinced to revert back to old habits
- Thought patterns – negativity, overconfidence, anxiety, irritability and more can be just enough in some cases for people to want to find a source of relief – and often, it’s with the person’s old substance of choice when their addiction was active
A 2014 study published in the International Journal of High-Risk Behaviors found that of 609 surveys completed from those in recovery, 72% have experienced a full relapse. If you’re ready to beat the odds and develop some truly effective techniques for relapse prevention, speak with a professional from Alta Loma today.
If you’re ready to begin taking great strides towards your health and wellbeing, speak with a professional from Alta Loma today. Mental illness should be taken seriously and, if not treated early on, more severe conditions can arise. The best way to promote happiness and health is to seek help – and to begin using effective interventions for treating the problematic symptoms a person is experiencing. Don’t wait any longer to seek the help you need. Please call Alta Loma today – and you’ll be surrounded by a healthcare team who truly cares about your recovery. 866-457-3843
