Relapse Warning Signs

I relapsed again. I felt like crap and was afraid my husband would run out of patience and leave me. He can’t understand why I don’t just tell him when something triggers it, but it’s just not that simple.

Any event, stressful interaction, or relationship difficulty can trigger a relapse. Since they are often based on personal memories (not all of which my husband was around for) and old routines, it is very difficult to be specific.

Since relapses can happen so suddenly, the only thing I can really do is let him know what my known triggers are (new ones can always develop) and what warning signs I am aware of that he should look out for. So I sat down with my therapist and mapped it all out.

Triggers are the catalysts for relapses, so we started there first. My therapist explained that triggers fall into the Three E’s – Exposure, Environmental, and Emotional.

Examples of Exposure include being around drugs of abuse or seeing a TV or magazine ad that advertises liquor or shows a syringe. Some Environmental triggers are the well-known people, places, and things or social pressures from others to use. Emotional triggers can range from any type of negative emotion we don’t want to feel anymore to making a good feeling even better.

Based on the Three E’s, my therapist and I came up with some of my triggers, which include:

• Stress at work
• Feeling overwhelmed or frustrated
• Anxiety when interacting with difficult family members
• Depression over health issues
• Loneliness when my husband is away on business
• Anxiety when old friends want to hang out
• Fear of attending work parties

There are situations we are all vulnerable to that can lead to a relapse. These include:

• Loss of a loved one
• Major financial changes
• Health problems
• Divorce
• Boredom

If an addict is experiencing any of their triggers or one or more of the extreme circumstances listed above, they must be vigilant, and be aware of the following signs:

• Lying
• Changes in appetite, grooming, or sleep
• Overconfidence
• Irresponsible behavior
• Sudden changes in routine
• Self-Pity

Equally important is the fact that you also have to recognize your own signs that you may be headed down the path to relapse. Being as prepared as possible is the best way to do that. Here are some points that I found helpful:

• Know your triggers and do your best to avoid them.
• Attend therapy or support groups regularly so you can talk out your feelings instead of keeping them bottled up inside.
• Have a good support system of people who are willing to help you avoid triggers and keep an eye out for any warning signs.
• Listen to your support group when they observe any warning signs.
• Avoid people, places, and things that tempt you to use.
• Avoid exposure to alcohol and drugs.

Taking care of your physical health will go a long way to keep triggers at bay. Equal amounts of nourishment, sleep, and exercise will help you to do that. A good tool to rely on is called H.A.L.T. This acronym stands for Hunger, Anger, Loneliness, and Tiredness. Take the time to conduct a self-assessment on a regular basis to address any of these possible feelings before they get out of control.

Remember, if you do relapse, it doesn’t mean anything more than you are learning from your mistakes. Sobriety is a complete lifestyle change and that requires patience, time, and hard work.

Lao Tzu, Chinese Taoist Philosopher, once said, “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” Go for the power!

If you or someone close to you is struggling with an addiction, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Beginnings Treatment Centers now to speak with a professional who cares. We know we can help.