The Myths behind Relapse

In recovery come relapse. Not everyone will experience a relapse, but many will. It is very common for an addiction to rear its wicked ways after leaving a recovery/treatment center, especially if the addict is placed in the same situations or surroundings and does not have a strong support system. Treatment is just part of the recovery; the rest has to do with the addicts themselves and how hard they work their program.

Of course, it is never anyone’s goal in recovery to relapse by any means unless their motivation to go into a recovery treatment center was not an fully honest motive. However, we all make mistakes in life; no one is perfect and susceptible to relapse. What is important is how one chooses to deal with their relapse – if they use it as a learning experience in order to lessen the chances of future relapses.

There are many myths about relapse, such as relapse is a sign of a poor treatment center, a sign of recovery failure, poor motivation, etc. I would like to take this time to demystify these myths to help anyone better understand the cycle of recovery.

Myth: Relapse is a sign of a poor treatment/recovery center
False: As with anything, you get out what you put in, meaning if you are willing to do the work required out of you during your stay at a recovery/treatment center you will be better armed to deal with relapse. The fact of the matter is, relapse can happen if you self clean or have gone through a recovery/treatment center. The difference is, with recovery/treatment centers you are given tools to help deal with possible relapse.

Myth: I have failed my recovery when I relapsed
False: You have not failed, and your recovery is not flawed. You made a mistake. Identify that mistake and learn from it so it can be avoided in the future.

Myth: Relapse equals poor motivation
Addiction is a disease. Think of it somewhat like cancer - remission time being clean. When a cancer patient comes out of remission, does it mean they had poor motivation? No. No one is guaranteed a lifetime of abstinence no more than a cancer patient is guaranteed a lifetime of being in remission. However, an addict does have a more control over relapse whereas a cancer patient has no control. Unfortunately, relapse is a normal part of the addictive disease and no matter how sincere you are about recovering you can slip up.

Myth: Relapse begins when you use
False: Relapse occurs when you revert back to your old ways of thinking and behaving, when you put yourself in dangerous situations, isolate yourself, stuff feelings, don’t seek support when in any of these situations, etc. The fact is, the minute you use is the conclusion of the relapse not the beginning.

Myth: Relapse is unpredictable
False: All the signs are there that show you are headed to using again. Having the disease of addiction means that you cannot control your use once you start using. It doesn't mean that you have no control over whether or not you use therefore it is predictable and preventable if you are honest with yourself and pay attention to the signs.

Myth: I am not using my old drug of choice so it isn’t relapse.
True and False. Any kind of mood altering substance that you use to anesthetize your feelings is a relapse however, it can also be considered a second hand addiction. Second hand addiction is a substitute addiction that some pick up when they are in recovery. Either way, both are no good!

Myth: I relapsed so now all my progress is lost.
False: That would be lie saying you built half a house and ran out of supplies and because so, all was lost. Nope, you just regroup and get more supplies, or in the case of relapse, regroup, get yourself clean and back into recovery again. The tools you have learned, they may require some brushing up, but you still got the skills to get the job accomplished. However, the quicker you get to it, the better. As with the house, if you leave it too long the elements will tear away at it, the same way your addiction will tear away at your life.

Myth: Since relapse is common, then it’s okay to have one.
Plain and simple False:– relapse is dangerous. Relapse will return to the unmanageable and insanity of your addiction if not addressed immediately. For some, a relapse can mean the end to where the addict never comes back to recovery. This way of thinking is dangerous. Never think of relapse as “okay” but more like a bee sting to someone who is highly allergic that doesn’t have an Epi-Pen to counteract it. It can easily result in death!

Be aware of your triggers and steer clear of them. Work the program and keep yourself within a strong support system. Be honest with yourself in your checks and balances and if you see any signs of reverting into old ways of thinking or behavior, ask for help! If you do relapse, get back on track with your recovery immediately.


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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