The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 40-69% of persons recovering from drug use disorders relapse. It’s heartbreaking to see a loved one relapse. You assumed this was behind you and your family, but suddenly you’re back. Relapse is common, but it does not indicate that your loved one is destined for a life of addiction.
Look no further if you’re Googling for “treatment for alcoholics near me,” we’ll help you understand what to do when a loved one relapses on Alcohol.
Here are five suggestions if you’re wondering what to say to someone who has relapsed or what you should do when somebody relapses:
#1) Maintain A Cheerful Attitude And Channel Your Emotions
You must remain hopeful and focused on the aim of recovery as one of your loved one’s most significant supporters. This might entail controlling and channeling your emotions into productive next moves right now.
If you are furious at a loved one, remember that addiction is an illness, and their relapse was most likely not a decision. If you are dissatisfied with earlier drug rehab efforts that did not “work,” remember that relapsing does not imply that treatment has failed. Perhaps some form of treatment offered in the past may not have worked for your loved one. Other forms of therapy offered by any trusted addiction treatment facility in Raleigh, NC (such as lengthy or dual diagnosis care) may be more appropriate for your loved one’s illness. Just don’t give up hope.
Most importantly, do not be irritated with yourself for whatever reason. You are not to blame for this relapse. Continue to be optimistic, or begin to be happier, about obtaining your loved ones the assistance they require to succeed.
#2) Do Not Blame Or Shame Others
The individual who has relapsed is most likely already experiencing a great deal of humiliation. Adding to it is pointless. According to research, those who relapse may suffer the abstinence violation effect. This is the psychiatric term for when a person relapses and has such intense feelings of humiliation, remorse, and failure that they decide they may as well throw in the towel and return to active addiction. Heaping on the shame or guilt may aggravate your loved one’s feelings.
Focusing on the notion that a drug use disorder is a sickness that affects the brain might help you become more empathetic in a scenario when anger and irritation are common. It’s tough to understand how severely substance misuse can hijack the brain, making it exceedingly difficult to stop having drugs or alcohol if you haven’t experienced addiction. It’s not only an issue of determination.
#3) Learn How To Spot And Avoid Future Drug Relapses
If your loved one returned home from treatment, they most certainly met multiple relapse triggers:
- Old pals or party places.
- Memories of prior relationships or drug-using days.
- Resurrected pressures.
As a friend or family member, you may assist your loved one in coping by removing relapse triggers from their life. This might include promoting new, sober connections or visiting more social events with them.
Recognizing the start of a potential relapse might also improve your loved one’s relapse prevention plan. Knowing the early warning signs of relapse (such as remoteness, lack of communication, and mood swings) can allow you to address and prevent them as they arise.
#4) Encourage Them To Seek Assistance
A relapse does not necessarily need a return to drug rehab. However, it typically signifies that some substance abuse therapy is in need. Sobriety support organizations, such as SMART Recovery (smartrecovery.org), distinguish between a relapse and a slip. A slip is a transient, one-time event that cannot be predicted. This might include a momentary lapse into substance addiction in response to a job loss, the death of a beloved one, or being caught off guard by a trigger. According to SMART Recovery, a relapse is a drug or alcohol addiction that lasts for weeks or days when people fall back into old habits, including hanging out with “drug pals,” missing support meetings, and feeling “homesick” for their previous lifestyle.
With a slip, your loved one may need to increase their treatment sessions, attend more recovery support groups, or choose an outpatient program that meets twice a week during the day or night.
If their comeback to drugs and alcohol appears to be a relapse in which they have reverted to active addiction and previous lifestyle patterns, returning to drug treatment may be the best option. Inpatient therapy can give patients the space and time to focus on themselves, what they can gain from the relapse, and how to proceed.
#5) Get In Touch With An Addiction Treatment Facility In Raleigh, NC
Relapse into drug misuse usually implies that treatment should be restarted or reconsidered or that a different form of therapy should be implemented. If your loved one has already tried a 30-day outpatient program, you may want to seek a more extended stay at a residential drug treatment center. Whatever therapy you pick, it is critical to find one that addresses the underlying causes of your loved one’s recent relapse as well as the unique requirements of your loved one. The restored treatment plan should meet all of your loved one’s needs to return them to a successful, sober existence.
It is critical to realize that your loved one’s addiction is an illness that requires time to conquer. As they commit to a straight path, you must accept that there will always be ups and downs.
There may be setbacks, such as relapses or broken vows, but you can help by keeping focused and becoming a part of your loved one’s ultimate goal: long-term sobriety.
Never feel isolated on this path. When it comes to helping your loved one, our addiction treatment facility in Raleigh, NC has your back.
So, no more Googling for “treatment for alcoholics near me,” instead, get in touch with the Recovery Center of the Carolinas now for consultation and more!
