Recovery Over the Long Haul
The goal of long term addiction recovery is long-term sobriety. It’s a simple goal, but as all recovering persons soon learn, it’s a difficult one. We can learn all the discipline we need to live the sober life, and we can develop a will of iron. Yet there may come a day when we find ourselves at the edge of a cliff called relapse. Our defences may be down, our emotional resources depleted, our coping mechanisms overwhelmed. If so, we will be in trouble.
That is the time to reach out – immediately – for a vine. For long term addiction recovery that is the time to call someone – our sponsor, a friend – and talk about our troubles, no matter how insignificant they seem. That is the time to go to an AA or NA meeting to remind ourselves of where we’ve been and where we’re going. We need to take these kinds of actions before it’s too late.
And if we fall over the edge of the cliff called relapse, we can pick ourselves up and start again. Relapse is not the end. There is always hope, always a new day. There’s no need to waste another moment in self-loathing. We can just stand up, brush ourselves off and start walking.
THE TEN MOST COMMON RELAPSE DANGERS:
1. Being in the presence of drugs or alcohol, drug or alcohol users, or places where you used or bought chemicals.
2. Feelings we perceive as negative, particularly anger; also sadness, loneliness, guilt, fear, and anxiety.
3. Positive feelings that make you want to celebrate.
4. “Boredom”.
5. Getting high on any drug.
6. Physical pain.
7. Listening to war stories and just dwelling on getting high. Euphoric recall.
8. Suddenly having a lot of cash, or time, or excuses. Impulsivity and instant gratification become top of mind.
9. Using prescription drugs that can get you high even if you use them properly.
10. Believing that you no longer have to worry (complacent). That is, that you are no longer motivated to crave drugs/alcohol by any of the above situations, or by anything else – and therefore maybe it’s safe for you to use occasionally. This is what AA calls the BIG LIE on page 30-43 of Chapter three. You see long term addiction recovery requires rigorous honesty, something addicts new to recovery have almost none of.
UNDERSTANDING RELAPSE ATTITUDES
Long term addiction recovery has a number of blocks standing in everyone’s way. Addicts love excuses. They are bathed in denial. Learning some of the more common relapse attitudes will help you to make sure you don’t enable an addict any further than you have to.
SOBRIETY IS BORING
I’LL NEVER DRINK/USE AGAIN
I CAN DO IT MYSELF
I’M NOT AS BAD AS …..
I OWE THIS ONE TO ME
MY PROBLEMS CAN’T BE SOLVED
I WISH I WAS HAPPY
I DON’T CARE
IF NOBODY ELSE CARES, WHY SHOULD I?
THINGS HAVE CHANGED
I CAN SUBSTITUTE
THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT
THERE’S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY
I CAN’T CHANGE THE WAY I THINK
IF I MOVE, EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE
I LIKE MY OLD FRIENDS
I CAN DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY
NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW HOW I FEEL
I’M DEPRESSED
I SEE THINGS MY WAY ONLY
I FEEL HOPELESS
I CAN HANDLE IT
IF I HIDE BEHIND EVERYONE ELSE’S PROBLEMS, I WON’T
HAVE TO FACE MY OWN
I CAN’T DO IT
WHY TRY / F@#k it!
Please notice that long before a relapse occurs, known as the actual relapse event, there is a spiritual relapse. Then there is an emotional relapse. This is a cutting off of your innate values as you return to be veiled by your addicted persona. THE EVENT: A spiritual relapse. A complete stop in practicing your higher self and spiritual principles. An emotional relapse follows this in terms of relapse attitudes. You stop sharing, stop talking and start keeping secrets. Finally you physically RETURN TO OLD BEHAVIOURS AND THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS. Like life itself, this is very much a body, mind and spiritual problem!
What to do When You Experience a Warning Sign
When you recognise any of these symptoms, you need to take action to have a shot at long term addiction recovery. Make a list of the coping skills you can use when you experience a symptom that is common for you. This will happen. You will have problems in recovery. Your task is to take affirmative action. Remember, a symptom is a danger signal. You are in trouble. Make a list of what you are going to do.
How to Cope With Triggers
At every point along the behaviour chain, you can work on preventing relapse. First you need to carefully examine your triggers. What environmental events lead you to using chemicals? We went over some of these when we examined high-risk situations. Determine what people, places or things make you vulnerable to relapse. Stay away from these triggers as much as possible. If a trigger occurs, then use your new coping skills.
For more help with long term addiction recovery and our addiction treatment programs that are inpatient and online, call +27824424779 or email pathwaysplett@gmail.com
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