Drug Relapse -What is drug alcohol relapse

Relapse is a return to active drug alcohol addiction and is a process that begins well before a return to use of alcohol or drugs. It is not always easy for addicts to remain in recovery and the pain and discomfort that sometimes accompanies life can allow a relapse to occur. There are symptoms that are linked to alcoholism and addiction and over prolonged periods, those pre-existing symptoms can adversely affect an individual in addiction recovery. Recovery can become more difficult to maintain and relapse can occur,triggered by internal or external factors. Triggers contribute to the causes of a drug alcohol relapse.

Alcoholic Anonymous ( AA) is known to uses the phrase "HALTS" to describe contributing factors to a relapse: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired or Sick. Inability to manage cravings or emotions can lead to a relapse. Stress at home, or at work can lead to a relapse. It is important that the addict in an addiction treatment program identify his or her personal relapse triggers, patterns and warning signs prior to their return home to their family so they can utilize the coping skills learned in the addiction treatment facility to help prevent a relapse.

What do you do then to prevent a drug alcohol relapse?

Identify the triggers and warning signs and then learn and implement concrete addiction relapse prevention skills. It is important that every addict in an addiction treatment program learn and practice these skills prior to returning home to their family in order to aid in addiction relapse prevention.

Make a drug alcohol relapse prevention plan.

Again, detoxification and addiction treatment alone will not prevent relapse.

People in addiction treatment are strongly encouraged to complete the full addiction treatment program and utilize the addiction information and coping skills learned at the addiction treatment center on a consistent basis.