Demystifying Relapse Prevention Alcohol or Drug Addiction Relapse Means FailureNot that anyone should expect to fail but if you don't succeed from treatment or recovery it doesn't mean you've failed. Putting someone in this mindset makes it harder for them to continue to try to overcome their addiction. You must keep in mind two things when it comes to relapse prevention:
Drug And Alcohol Addiction Can Be Cured After A Set Period of TimeWhether it's 28, 60 or 90 days you cannot be "cured" in that period of time from a debilitating addiction like alcohol or drugs. Recovery can take on a variety of methods, environments and varying amounts of time. The time designated by some programs is there as a core period designated for focused recovery or treatment. A term you should become familiar with is a "continuum of care." This means you receive help and assistance beyond a set time designated for recovery. As a recovering addict, you can participate in different levels of these from counseling and therapy to supported living or extended residential care. Believing that recovery can be successful no matter how long it takes is crucial in making that move toward getting the help you need.Once You're Clean And Sober You Can Still Socially Use Drugs And AlcoholThis is a very common misconception that often times will contribute to a relapse since people fool themselves into believing that once they've become sober they can still have an occasional drink. What has to be understood in no uncertain terms is that addiction is an illness or chronic condition and will not disappear regardless of what substance you were addicted to. Recovery helps you do without the drugs or alcohol so that you don't desire to go back into it.Addiction Is Just A Bad Habit
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Getting help for your addiction is difficult, challenging and life-altering experience. Many have the courage to get help their own while others need the assistance of friends and family to take that first step. In either case, once they're able to start moving toward the path of recovery, it eventually will no longer be a struggle but rather a way of life that you enjoy and cherish. Unfortunately, there are many who after getting treatment or recovery "relapse" or return to their addiction. Research on relapse statistics reveal that more than 50 percent of alcohol and drug abusers relapse and more than 60 percent have experienced relapse more than once. To better understand why relapse prevention doesn't always succeed we must first understand some of the common myths and misconceptions. Here are a few.
Yet another myth that often leads to relapse, addiction is not just a "bad habit." The initial choice to do drugs or drink alcohol may have been one of independent thought but after a period of time choice is not an option. The chemical imbalance created by the constant intake of alcohol and drugs creates a psychological and physical need for the substance that you simply can't will away. It's too common a situation where people believe they've overcome their addiction only to fall right back into the "habit." Once you're made the move to recovery you can't have the substance as part of your life. It's that simple.
