Three Stages of Relapse – Athena Behavioral Health

Relapse is a slow process. It does not hit a person immediately. A person falls trap of it gradually. It begins with positive thoughts and feelings re-occupying his/her mind related to use of alcohol/drugs which then culminates into deterioration of his/her condition over a period of time.

A person may relapse into using alcohol or drugs in two ways – traditional and Relapse. Traditional lapse is when the person intentional begins to reuse the alcohol/drug. Relapse is when someone begins to use the substance accidently and had no intention of using it.

Relapse is dangerous whether it occurs in traditional or Relapse form. Therefore, it is important to keep a note on the signs that one develops so that it gets easier to identify the current stage of relapse. Basically, relapse occurs in three stages:

1.    Emotional Relapse

During this stage, a person does not begin to reuse the drugs or consume alcohol but finds it difficult to manage his/her emotions and feelings. Negative emotions like anger, irritability, and anxiety are on the rise that in turn makes the person abandon the coping mechanisms and relapse to using alcohol/drugs. Self-care takes a sideline during this stage. Some of the warning signs of this stage include:

• ·         Poor eating and sleeping habits
• ·         Abandoning family and friends
• ·         Preventing being a part of group meetings
• ·         Not sharing emotions during group meetings
• ·         Mood swings
• ·         Focusing on other’s life and their problems to avoid their own
• ·         Inability to manage emotions
• ·         Preferring to stay in isolation 

You can prevent your risk of emotional relapse by practicing deep breathing. It is also important to accept the changes in your emotions and seek help before the condition worsens. Avoid falling trap into the fear of being judged or failing as these would only increase your chances of relapse.

2.    Mental Relapse

When a person ignores his/her signs of emotional relapse or fails to manage his/her emotions effectively, it is very likely for him/her to relapse mentally. He/she develops thoughts that are contradictory to staying sober and begins to find happiness in the memories associated with its past use. Hence, the person is at high risk of relapse. The person’s cognitive resistance diminishes, and he/she begins to think of using the substance again. Some of the other signs of mental relapse are:

• ·         Craving or psychological urge to use drug/alcohol
• ·         Thinking about the people/places associated with their use
• ·         Hanging out with friends who are present consumers of alcohol/drugs
• ·         Thinking of consuming it occasionally
• ·         Fantasizing about using it
• ·         Planning how to relapse

To avoid mental relapse, it is important to distract oneself from the urges of using these substances. Remind yourself of how using this drug/alcohol had harmed you in the past. Remember that reusing this substance is not going to benefit you in anyway rather would only have negative effects on your physical as well as mental health.

3.    Physical Relapse

A physical relapse occurs when you have not dealt with your symptoms of emotional and physical relapses in a timely manner. It is the situation in which the person begins to reuse the substance in a full-blown manner. A substance full-blown use implies that you have no control left over its use. Physical relapse begins with the consumption of one drink or one dose of drug and then worsens over a certain time.

If you want to prevent this situation, make sure to take the right steps during the first two stages or seek the right kind of help.

Help is Available!

Relapse is a time-taking process. It does not occur in a single incident or within a matter of minutes. Therefore, if you keep a close check on the symptoms developed by you over a period of time or take some self-care steps, you can avoid the situation of relapse. In case, you have already fallen trap into physical addiction, help is available at our treatment facility.

Athena Behavioral Health is one of the leading addiction and De Addiction Centre in Gurgaon facility across the globe. With the best-in-class infrastructure and trained doctors, we make sure that the treatment offered to our patients is customized as per their needs. Our experts also understand that relapse can occur at any point in time and therefore, are available with the right kind of help as and when you need. Want to know more about our plans? Contact us at 919289086193.