If I have said it once, I have said it a hundred times plus – the road to recovery is not an easy one, but a road worth traveling. There is going to be difficulties, the only difference is, that in recovery, you have gained a better understanding of what brought on your addiction and developed tools to help counteract it from rearing its evil ways again. However, as I have also said before, relapse happens in recovery, and unfortunately, more times than not. As far as percentage of those who relapse during recovery, that is a hard question to answer in exact numbers. For one thing, not all report that they have relapse, not all re-enter a treatment center, and some never live to tell. Various numbers have been stated anywhere from 70% to 90% of addicts in recovery will relapse. Are them numbers correct, it is hard to determine. What is more important than what numbers can tell you is what you can do to help an addict in recovery who has relapsed, get back on the right track.
It is hard to see a love one return to drugs or alcohol after they left an addiction treatment program, sometimes devastating. Family embers can feel that all that effort was in vain, by both the addict and themselves. Some may want to throw the towel in and just give up while others want to do everything in their power to “fix” things to the extent there is nothing they wouldn’t sacrifice to get their loved one back on the right track. Neither one is a healthy response; you can neither throw the towel in nor become self sacrificing.
Here are some important tips to help you help the relapsed addict get back on track while protecting your own well being.
Remember who controls ownership of the addiction. This is the addicts’ battle and they need to own it, not you.
Hold the addict accountable for their recovery from the relapse.
Do not make excuses for the addict , dismiss the problem, or take on the addicts problems.
Encourage the addict to re-enter their original addition treatment plan and or attend addiction support group meetings.
Don’t push. Make your feelings heard as far as them seeking out help with direction then step back. They have to want to get back on the right track and no amount of pushing will change that. It is not your job to make them better; it is theirs alone.
Avoid the blame game. Do not try to remove the addicts’ guilt or anxiety about relapsing. Allow them to work through their feelings and it can be those exact feelings of guilt that can lead them back to recovery. Allow them to own them. However, don’t try to get the addict to feel guilty either. Inflicting guilty feelings will work in reverse than self-guilt and not motivate them to seek help.
Take care of yourself and do not allow the addict to pull you down with them.
Set an example of healthy living and healthy decision-making.
Be supportive by not having addictive substance in your home.
Don’t be discouraged and try to stay optimistic. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that drug addiction often requires more than one round of therapy. A relapse does not mean that the addict will never lead a “clean life” just that they may require more than one round in treatment.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
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That's a pretty high repeat. I'm surprised. Oh, I know it happens. Been there, done that and got the t-shirt to prove it. I did have a relapse, but only 1. I thank God that I was able to kick the habit and I've been clean for nearly 7 years.
ReplyDeleteAs unfortunate as it is, it does happen. I swore it wouldn't happen to me, but it did. If the circumstances are right, it will happen. We are weak individuals. I was lucky that my family remained supportive, even after the fall. If they had given up on me I might not have made it back.
ReplyDeleteNo one plans to have a relapse, but it does happen. The best thing you can do is to step right in with your support. The person is already feeling bad, they need help, not scorn. That won't help anyone. Get them back on the recovery road with understanding.
ReplyDeleteWhen my son relapsed after nearly 6 months of clean living, I was devastated. I felt like it was over for him. Even though he went right back into treatment, I didn't hold out much hope for him. As it turns out, I was wrong. That momentary slip happened 18 years ago. I'm so proud of what he has accomplished. I know now, that setbacks happen and it doens't have to be the end.
ReplyDeleteFor those who suffer a relapse, support from family and friends is likely to be more important than it was at the onset of rehabilitation. They may feel defeated now, where initially they were full of hope. Don't write them off because of a slip. They need you now more than ever.
ReplyDeletePatience and tolerance are the best ways to support someone who has had a relapse. They need your understanding, not your scorn. They feel bad enough already.
ReplyDeleteI counsel recovering drug addicts and their families. It's amazing how many times the family tries to make excuses for the drug user. Blame and excuses are so out of place, I can't begin to tell you the damage that can be done by both.
ReplyDelete