The path towards recovery can be a difficult one. Your loved one may be trying to get rid of his or her alcohol addiction and relapse along the way. Relapsing is a common action that many people will experience as they aim to stop using their substance of abuse. However, coming at them negatively will only reinforce negative feelings and cause more problems than it will solve. Fortunately, we have a guide on what to do when you relapse. This guide can be for a person who is relapsing or for someone who is concerned about someone else who has relapsed. Use our tips to remain a positive influence in his or her life to help them on the path of recovery.
What To Do When Someone Relapses Alcohol
The first thing that you should avoid doing when someone relapses from alcohol is to treat them negatively. Releasing your anger and frustration at them will only worsen the problem. This is why it is important to keep a calm demeanor and talk to them whenever they sober up. Bringing friends and family together for an intervention is another way that you can also positively reinforce the idea that they are loved. This will help them realize that they are not alone and that they can seek professional help. Finding the right facility is also important in helping them recover as well. Fortunately, there are dozens in the state of Arizona that provide a healthy environment for recovery.
What Does it Mean When You Relapse?
Relapsing means that you have fallen back into the negative habit of substance abuse. In this case, it is alcohol that is the substance that can destroy lives and families. Relapsing does not mean that an individual is weak-willed. Relapsing is common for many people who are recovering from an addiction. Relapsing could also mean that the recovery facility that you are using is not working. It is the person’s decision after the relapse that determines how they are doing and what kind of professional help they could benefit from.
What Percentage of Users Relapse After Treatment?
As mentioned previously, relapsing is a common incident for individuals who are trying to kick an addiction. It is estimated that over 90 percent of individuals in recovery have one relapse in their life before they can achieve sobriety. This means that relapsing is a natural occurrence of the recovery process and should be treated as such.
Signs of Alcohol Relapse
There are various signs of alcohol relapse that you should most certainly look out for if someone you know is suffering from addiction. One of the most common things that you will notice is a change in attitude. You may notice that they have become more reclusive out of nowhere during the recovery process. This would warrant concern when watching over them.
They may also begin to experience elevated stress levels. This is the body’s natural reaction to adapting without a drink in their system. Alcohol can be incredibly debilitating and addicting. Many people rely on it to cope with life’s stresses. Without it, they will begin to break down due to the stress that they never faced when sober. Finally, they may begin to become defensive and in denial of their actions. This can be a major step backward for someone who is committed to the recovery process. Keep an eye on these signs of relapse and seek help if they persist.
As mentioned before, addiction is incredibly hard to fight. Most people never break their addictions and let it consume their lives. Alcohol is an incredibly addicting substance and this reason alone is why addicts relapse. We hope you can use this guide to educate yourself on what to do if an addict relapses. Be a positive influence in their life and encourage them to always look to the positive for optimal recovery.