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Some estimates place the number of people who have at least one relapse after completing drug or alcohol treatment at 90 percent. Understanding the signs of a relapse can help friends and family intervene and get their loved one back on the path of sobriety.
According to government statistics, as many as 90 percent of all people who leave an alcohol or drug rehab program will have at least one relapse in their life. The relapse can happen almost immediately after leaving treatment or can take place after years or even decades of sobriety. Knowing this is important for anyone who completes addiction treatment and prepares to get back to the real world or their friends and families, since it highlights the importance of understanding a relapse and knowing the signs that one might be imminent.
With this in mind, here are some warning signs to help loved ones monitor a person who has recently left a drug or alcohol abuse center but might be prone to a relapse:
Many people experience a noticeable change in attitude before a relapse but might not know why. This could include denying that their alcohol or drug addiction was as bad as it actually was or replacing old addictions with new ones. These warning signs of a relapse could be caused by a number of factors, including elevated levels of stress from factors in the outside world.
When first going through drug or alcohol rehab, people with serious addictions frequently go through withdrawals that can be very painful and mentally taxing. Unfortunately, these withdrawal symptoms can come back weeks or even months after the person initially quits using drugs or alcohol. In some cases, people can rationalize that the addiction is a "better" choice than having to deal with the recurring withdrawal symptoms.
People can also abandon the habits they learned in alcohol or drug rehab before falling off the wagon and having a relapse. Rehab helps people set healthy daily routines that will help them in the sobriety process. But people who are going to rehab frequently begin breaking this routine through actions like sleeping in late, not cleaning their living quarters or abandoning their own personal hygiene.
If a loved one is acting unusual or experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to act fast to get them treatment. Discuss your concerns with them and encourage them to seek additional therapy or talk to their counselor.
Nelson Conway is a freelance writer living in Pasadena, Calif. His work has been published by magazines and major online news sites. http://alcoholism.about.com/od/relapse/a/relapse_signs.htm
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