Relapse is not uncommon in the Recovery process. It can happen right after rehab or several years after you have been sober. However, Relapse is not inevitable either and in order to avoid it, it is important that we debunk the many myths that surround Relapse.
Myth #1: You cannot predict Relapse
Fact: Relapse does not come on suddenly. It follows a pattern where we begin to stray from recovery behaviors gradually move on to high risk patterns of thinking and action. There are many warning signs that people close to us may notice but we may fail to pay attention to or take seriously.
Myth #2: If I am not drinking or doing drugs, I am ok
Or
Since I am not using my drug of choice, I am recovering
Fact: Substitution is when a person stops using one substance and substitutes it with another. For example, if a person stops using pornography and begins drinking or gambling, he/she is not in recovery. In short, whenever a substance or a process is used to anesthetize feelings and emotions, relapse has occurred. Just because you are not using your drug of choice, doesn’t mean you are in recovery.
Myth #3: Relapse occurs only when people drop out of treatment or stop going to AA meetings.
Or
As long as you are going to meetings, you will not relapse
Fact: As they say in those meetings, “It works if you work it”. Just going to the 12 Step meetings is not enough. We need to work on the Steps and follow the principles of recovery. Like addiction, Recovery is an active process. If you are not working it, it’s not going to work and at some point, relapse is bound to occur.
Myth #4: I have lost the urge to drink and/or do drugs, and so I can go back to my usual lifestyle.
Fact: going back to your usual lifestyle, may be like playing with fire, albeit a slow burning one. It is not unusual for some to lose the urge to drink in the early stages of recovery. But if you begin to do the same things that led you to drink excessively, you are risking a relapse. As they say in the meetings, “if you hang around the barber shop long enough, sooner or later you are going to get a hair cut”.
Myth #5: If you are disciplined and have will-power, you will not relapse.
Fact: Remember the time when you tried to control your addiction through will power? It didn’t work then and it will not work now. Preventing Relapse means that you actively work on your recovery. It means you maintain a healthy, low risk lifestyle, identify and remain alert to triggers and have a strong support system.
About Rochna: Rochna Hazra is trained in Marriage and Family Therapy at Virginia Tech. She includes the emotional, psychological, spiritual and family aspects of a person in her work. Originally from India, she combines the Eastern traditions of mindfulness, non-judgment and a holistic approach to healing with the Western approach of realism and solution-focused action.
Rochna has extensive knowledge, training and experience working with Addictions.
Rochna is also a Certified Advanced Relapse Prevention Specialist and trained in Sex Addiction and Mindfulness-based Therapy and Relapse Prevention.
Click here to learn more about Relapse Prevention and my practice in Leesburg, Virginia
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