When we’re out there in the midst of our addiction getting clean and sober can seem like an impossibility. Making the choice to start the road to recovery is not an easy thing to do but once you start out on that road you should never look back. Relapse can happen to anyone, sadly relapse is part of many of our stories of recovery. You should avoid relapse at all costs. Going back down that dark path can cause you to lose everything that you’ve worked so hard to gain back; it can also be deadly. Being able to notice the signs of a relapse before it happens can be the difference between life and death. These signs can be easy to spot and with the right tools ready to fix the problem will prove to be very beneficial. These are 6 easy to notice signs that you may be heading towards a relapse.
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Becoming Defensive When Loved Ones Talk to You About It
During your addiction/alcoholism you put your loved ones through the ringer, you were constantly lying about what you were doing, who you were with and how your money was being spent. They did see or hear from you for days or weeks on end, they may not have known if you were alive or dead. Once you got clean/sober your family was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. If you loved ones check in on you to see how you’re doing you should be happy they care. You’re noticing that you are brushing them off or getting offended when they ask you about your progress.
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Attitude and Behavior Changes
You are embracing negative feelings, you let your feelings of sadness overwhelm you, refusing to speak to others about how you feel. Isolation is becoming a regular part of your life. You may be hanging out with other people who are currently using. You find yourself becoming more easily upset or angry over trivial things.
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Romanticizing Drugs/Alcohol
You start to look back on your addiction and can only seem to remember the times you enjoyed or you think “it wasn’t that bad”. You don’t remember the pain it brought to you and your loved ones. You fantasize about living that life again and forget about the infinite negative consequences that it cause.
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Thinking That Short Term Use is Possible
Thinking you can go out and do coke for one night or that you can just go out and drink on weekends. This thought process is very dangerous. Too many addicts will go out to try to use just once, their chances of success are almost non-existent. When we put drugs or alcohol back into our system the chemical makeup of our brains will change and we will become obsessed again. Many addicts will die during their first week of a relapse because they start off when they left off.
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Lack of Interest in Old Hobbies and Activities
In your recovery, you have found happiness in things. Some of these interests and hobbies maybe new ones, some of them may be old. You started to do things that you enjoyed but now you realize those things that once brought you happiness are fading.
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Hanging Out With People Who Are in Addiction/Losing Contact with Support Groups
If you have started to hang out with old friends that you used with be careful, when hanging with these old crowds you may go back to your old ways. Chances are that in your recovery you made new friendships and built yourself a sober support group. You realize that you are no longer reaching out to these positive people. You rarely see people in your support group anymore and you have stopped attending recovery fellowships.
How to Get Help for You or a Loved One Who is Struggling
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction and would like to learn more call First Steps Recovery today at 1-844-BIG-STEP (1-844-489-0836). Call before a relapse takes control of your life. We will help you find out which recovery program is the best fit. A healthier and more fulfilling life is only a phone call away.
