Alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases. The brains of certain people are somehow "wired"  differently than the average person.  A chemical reaction is set up after the first drink or drug to cause these people to crave more, and then more. However, sometimes we forget that this is the case, and tell them to "Clean up their act" or "Drink less" or that they are "unmotivated to change". The most natural thing for addicts to do is use. When they finally do stop using substances, that craving may still be there, and many factors can trigger future use and abuse of alcohol or other drugs. We call this a "Relapse".

The relapse process begins long before alcohol or drug use starts. It is often triggered by the pain and discomfort of being sober. Just remaining abstinent is not enough. Abstinence is not recovery. Recovery consists of a lifestyle change whereby one's behaviors are centered around making healthy choices regarding one's activities and friends. If some of the psychological and social changes are not made, a type of "stinking thinking" sets in, illustrated by thoughts such as "One drink won't hurt", or "I can visit my old friends and just not use".

Often, the warning signs are ignored, and sometimes they are unconscious, however, even if a person realizes what is happening, willpower or self-discipline is not enough to prevent relapse from happening. There is something missing in the person's recovery; something he or she needs to do, learn, or stop doing.

According to Terence Gorski, some of the Warning Signs of Relapse are:

• Return of Denial - inability to recognize and honestly tell others what he or she is feeling; afraid, anxious, uneasy.
• Avoidance & Defensive behavior - avoids anything and anyone that will force an honest look at self, believing "I'll never drink again",worrying about others, compulsive and/or impulsive  behaviors, and a tendency toward lonliness.
• Crisis Building - experiences a sequence of life problems caused by denying personal feelings. Symptoms appear such as tunnel vision,minor depression, loss of constructive planning, leading to a failure of some of these plans culminating in guilt and remorse.
• Immobilization - inability to initiate action; symptoms such as daydreaming, wishful thinking, feeling that nothing can be solved, and an immature wish to be happy.
• Confusion & Overreaction - s/he cannot think clearly; becomes irritable with friends and overreacts to small things, and is easily angered.
• Depression - thoughts of drinking and/or using in order to end the depression, irregular eating habits, a lack of desire to take action, irregular sleeping habits, a loss of daily structure, and periods of deep depression.
• Behavioral Loss of Control - no full awareness of being out of control, but life is becoming chaotic, indicated by irregular attendance at A.A. and treatment meetings, development of an "I don't care" attitude, open rejection of help, dissatisfaction with life, and feelings of powerlessness and helplessness.
• Recognition of Loss of Control - s/he realizes how severe the problem is and how unmanageable his or her life has become, but s/he has become so isolated, there is nowhere to turn for help. There is self-pity, thoughts of social drinking, some conscious lying and a complete loss of self-confidence.
• Option  Reduction - the alcoholic feels trapped by the pain and believes nothing can help. There seem to be only 3 ways out; insanity, suicide, or alcohol/drug use. There are unreasonable resentments, discontinuance of all treatment and A.A., and an overwhelming feeling of lonliness, frustration, anger, and tension.
• Acute Relapse Episode - s/he becomes totally unable to function normally. There is a loss of behavioral control causing problems in all areas of life, and finally, the use of alcohol and/or other drugs to escape the pain and desperation. Sometimes this occurs after a period of controlled drinking, but soon becomes uncontrolled. 

 What should you do if some of these signs or cravings begin to appear?

• Avoid isolating and reach out to others, either by telephone or coffee time. Re-connect with old friends and make contact with new ones;
• Try re-connecting with a Higher Power through meditation and prayer;
• Care for yourself - get some exercise, watch your junk food intake, and get enough sleep;
• Start a journal and write down your thoughts and feelings at different times of the day. Try to plan an activity around those times that seem to pull you down;
• Look around your house and see if you can better organize some space for yourself;
•  Act on those things you have been putting off - maybe a move, or a career change;
• Volunteer for some local group or organization, or a charity you have thought of supporting. Volunteer to help the newcomers, also. Remember what it was like;
• Change your scenery by going for a walk, a drive or bike ride -away from where you presently are;
• Play some video or card games;
• Take a hot bath and relax, or read a good book, or use some guided imagery to "get away".

Everyone goes through a period of being stuck. It just means you need to re-evaluate what you are doing and perhaps make some changes. Change produces fear and anxiety, but there is help available.

Click on Where to Seek Help, or Contact me.

As a Certified addiction counselor, I can help.