According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, 21 million Americans are battling with some form of addiction. More worrying is that there are not enough qualified personnel to attend to them. The AAMC reports that only about 3,000 physicians can treat people battling addictions.
As a result of this, those battling addictions need all the help they can get from their family and friends. This article will examine the signs to look for when you suspect a loved one has relapsed. At Carolina Recovery, we help drug addicts regain control of their lives. So, if your loved one relapses, contact us immediately.
How to Know When Your Loved One Has Relapsed
The recovery process can be a challenging period. It can be an uphill battle for addicts to recover with their behavior and habits altered. However, a relapse is not sudden. In most cases, it could result from several weeks of contemplation. Consequently, a good number of recovering addicts will experience at least one relapse.
These signs could indicate when a loved one has relapsed, and understanding them will be vital in helping your loved one’s recovery.
Isolation
A lot of people may avoid social gatherings after they leave rehab. However, if you notice that your loved one is actively avoiding social interactions, it could signify that they have relapsed. Likewise, when you find out that they are giving excuses to avoid spending time with friends or family, it could be a sign that they are relapsing. In this case, you should gently probe to confirm your suspicion.
Increased Stress
Significant life changes can contribute to stress in a person’s life. For example, deciding to stop using drugs is a significant decision, and the changes in the body could contribute to stress.
Behavioral Changes
When people relapse, they often experience behavioral changes. For example, they may begin to get anxious, have sleepless nights, and try to avoid things they had previously enjoyed. Always be sensitive enough to know when their behavior changes.
Disorganization
One of the signs that a person has relapsed is a loss of structure. For example, they begin to ignore their personal hygiene, leave their living spaces untidy or skip work. When you discover that a loved one is missing the daily routine that has been a part of their life for so long, it is a sign that they may have relapsed.
What Do You Do When a Loved One Has Relapsed?
No one wants to be an addict or have one as a loved one. Generally, their quality of life is reduced as they lose the ability to make critical life decisions. So what do you do when you notice that a loved one has relapsed? This can present a dilemma, especially if you have not been trained for such a situation. In this section, we’ll look at some things you can do to help a loved one when they relapse.
Control Your Emotions
It is easy to give in to your frustration when you find out that your loved one has relapsed. However, that could be counterproductive, driving them further away from you at a time when your support could get them through. Recognize that only a few people choose to get addicted. It could have started harmlessly. Stay positive and support them. Always remember that a relapse does not have to be permanent.
Find a Treatment Plan for Your Loved One
Now that you know your loved one needs help, get them help. You may be skeptical about previous treatment options, but that should not make you give up. It could be that the treatment options they have gone through were not the right ones for them, so find the one they agree with.
Get Help for Yourself
Addicts are not the only ones affected by addiction. Their relationships often suffer as well. Watching a loved one try to kick an addiction could take its toll on you, and you need to get help for yourself. Getting help may mean seeing a therapist or speaking to friends or family. Whichever option you choose, remember that you cannot help your loved one through an addiction if you are not in the best shape.
Learn How We Can Help in Your Recovery From Addiction
The road to recovery is bumpy, and some people may be tempted to give up. This is where support comes in. At Carolina Recovery, we understand how important it is for our patients to be free from their addictions, and we do our best to ensure that they reach that goal. Our well-qualified staff is always on hand to help our patients on their journey. So give us a call today to get started.
