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Drug Relapse Prevention

What are some of the warning signs of a drug relapse?

In addition to thinking about using/craving drugs again, other warning signs of drug relapse include:

• Feeling trapped. This could be because of financial difficulties or other issues. The addict begins to think there is nowhere to turn, and may use out of desperation.
• Depression. Everyone gets down in the dumps sometimes, but feelings of depression for recovering addicts can become so severe they trigger relapse - or even thoughts of suicide.
• A sense of crisis. Everyday problems become overwhelming for the addict, who may feel that no matter how hard they try, they can't fix what is wrong.
• Return of denial. The addict stops telling others what he or she is thinking and feeling. The addict tells others that everything is alright, when in fact it is not.

Drug relapse prevention is a team effort

Recovering addicts cannot prevent a drug relapse on their own. The addict's role is to take notice of warning signs when they occur, and then seek assistance from family members, their sponsor in a 12-step program, or a professional counselor.

Some addicts find it helpful to enter a drug rehab program as a way of relapse prevention - even if they've already gone through rehab before. Think of recovery as the building of a house, with rehab serving as the foundation. Some home repairs might only involve replacing some shingles or a window (in recovery this would mean making slight changes to your day-to-day routine).

But when a house is on the verge of total collapse, the best way to save it is often by strengthening its underlying foundation - something the addict can do by re-entering rehab.

Telling those around you that you fear a relapse coming is not a sign of weakness - quite the opposite. Asking for help is the strongest weapon there is in combating addiction. No one can conquer this vicious disease alone. For more advice call us at 877-417-6237

Surgery and other health ailments - a danger zone for addicts

Some recovering addicts who work hard at drug relapse prevention still end up using again - with medical painkillers the culprit.

Any time an addict has surgery or is dealing with persistent pain issues - such as a lingering back injury - he or she must be EXTREMELY careful. Doctors often will prescribe pain medication for recovering addicts without realizing that this could destroy their patient's life.

There are countless addicts who relapsed at first with medically-prescribed pain medications, then found themselves using coke, heroin, or other hard drugs all over again.

"Physicians and patients must consider addiction, a chronic disease, as a major factor when anticipating surgery," Dr. Barbara Krantz, Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director for a Florida addiction treatment center, told Business Wire.

Recovering addicts have a responsibility to let their doctor know they suffer from addiction, just like they would for any other pre-existing condition - like heart disease.

The doctor, meanwhile, is ethically obligated to treats addicts' post-surgery pain or other ailments using non-addictive medications. There are plenty of pain relievers - both over-the-counter and prescription - that are non-addictive (and therefore compatible with the goal of drug relapse prevention).

If your doctor won't make sobriety a priority when writing prescriptions, find yourself another doctor.

If you need help with drug relapse please call us today at 877-417-6237

No matter your insurance, be it Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross / Blue Shield (BCBS), Assurant, Unicare, United Health Care, Anthem, Carefirst, Asuris Northwest Health, Golden Rule, Celtic Insurance, Fortis, Health Net, Kaiser, Vista, Shelter, Wellpoint, Tri Care, Accordia or even Medicare, and state insurance - we can help you with alcohol relapse prevention. We also offer many affordable self pay options as well as luxury drug rehab

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Last Modified on Jul 5, 2011

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