You’ve been clean and sober for a handful of years now, having some ups and downs but staying sober. Then boom – you ahve a death in the family, and you once again turn to alcohol to soothe your anxiety. This is why relapse is common. Even when you are doing well, something intense can shake you to the core. Take a look at what can happen when you think you’re immune to relapse.

Relapse Triggers Are All Around

Infectious germs loiter all around us every day. When our immune systems are strong and responsive, they fight off nearly every germ that tries to invade the body. Germs find ways inside, like through cuts, eyes, and mouths. Being overworked and stressed, not enough sleep, close contact with an infected person, all of these are opportunities for survival. Germs seize these opportunities and wreck havoc. That’s why we drink orange juice, exercise, and sleep soundly – to keep our immune system battle-ready at all times.

For a person in addiction recovery, relapse likes to sneak up and hide around the corner. Relapse triggers lie in wait every day until an opportunity presents itself. Many times, the person can fend them off with positive thinking, exercise, keeping emotional balance, talking to friends, and so on. But what happens when they don’t take care of the day-to-day healthy habits? What happens when the relapse prevention plan becomes erratic, ignored, or forgotten? Relapse, that’s what.

Relapse Starts With Innocent Sounding Lies

Your mind starts to open the door for relapse the minute it lies to you. “This drink is just to help me calm down.” “I’m not going back to the old days, just trying to get to sleep.” “Once I can relax, I’ll be fine. I can stop anytime anyway.” These seemingly innocent comments are really dangerous lures. They draw you into the trap of active addiction. You might even feel that you deserve to blow off some steam. You’ve been so stressed out by your anxiety, but it will just be this one time.

Some part of you might be saying, “Hey, what the heck am I doing here? I don’t have to get drunk to make things better.” You know the way you were when you were drinking all the time – the DUIs, the fist fights, the money problems, the legal issues, the messy relationships. Addiction is a dark place you don’t want to go, but you feel yourself sliding in that direction more and more.

Relapse Means You Need Alcohol Treatment

Relapse does not mean the end of the road, the end of your progress, or proof that you are some kind of failure. Relapse is a learning opportunity, so tell someone you need to stop drinking and that you need help. Yes, you may feel some shame in telling someone, but what about the shame that you are knowingly hurting yourself? The shame can get much better when you open up your dark little place and let the light of truth inside. If you keep it all to yourself, shame and relapse can get so scary and isolating. Tell someone you need help.

If you are not already in alcohol treatment, make a phone call and find an alcohol rehab center in your community. And yes, even if you have been to alcohol treatment before, you may need to swallow your pride and consider this the moment you need to go again. If you truly know yourself as an alcoholic, pretending your alcoholism is gone is just plain dangerous.

Tags: Alcohol Addiction Relapse, Alcohol Rehab, Intense Emotions Trigger Relapse Shame and Lies

   

About Erika K.

       

Erika K. has studied addiction and recovery for over ten years. As an accomplished writer, she uses the power of words to help men and women of all ages better understand issues of dependence and substance abuse.

Also written by: Erika K.