Assisting A Friend In Overcoming A Relapse

Understanding Relapse

When supporting a friend on their recovery journey, understanding what a relapse is and the factors that contribute to it can be critical.

Definition of Relapse

A relapse occurs when an individual ceases to maintain a goal of reducing or avoiding the usage of alcohol or other drugs and returns to their previous levels of consumption. It's essential to understand that relapse is often an integral part of recovery from addiction, as addiction is a chronic disease [2].

Relapse is more of a process than a singular event of resuming use. It’s broken down into three stages: Emotional relapse, Mental relapse, and Physical relapse. Once a relapse occurs, it can be challenging for an individual to get back on the path to recovery.

Factors Contributing to Relapse

Numerous factors can lead a person to relapse. These can include personal challenges such as problems at work, emotional and psychological issues, and social or economic problems.

A common warning sign of relapse is the romanticizing of drug use. This can lead a person in recovery to believe they can use again without falling back into addiction. Recognizing this as a dangerous trigger for relapse is crucial [3].

Depression also puts a person at a higher risk for relapse. The risk for suicide rises dramatically when someone suffers from both depression and substance abuse. Recognizing signs of depression in someone in recovery is vital to prevent a relapse [3].

Monitoring whom a person in recovery interacts with can also help prevent a relapse. Returning to old relationships that involved drug use can be a trigger for substance abuse. Isolating oneself from supportive resources can also put one at a greater risk for relapse.

By understanding what a relapse is and the factors that contribute to it, you can better support a friend who might be struggling with addiction. Recognizing the signs and triggers of a relapse can be the first step in preventing it and supporting a friend on their road to recovery.

Risks and Dangers

Understanding the risks and dangers associated with relapse is crucial when assisting a friend who is in this predicament. A relapse is not just a setback in recovery, it can also pose serious health risks, including the risk of overdose and significant emotional impact.

Overdose Risk

One of the significant risks when a friend suffers a relapse is the potential for an overdose. Overdose risk is a significant concern when someone relapses, especially if they have been abstinent for a period of time. This is particularly true for opioids, where the risk of overdose is 25 times greater in the first few weeks following treatment if a person relapses.

When a person is abstinent from certain substances like opioids, their tolerance may lower. If they relapse, they may accidentally take too much and experience an overdose. Overdose due to changed tolerance is a specific risk for people who return to a drug after a period of non-use, such as after release from prison or during detoxification and/or rehabilitation [1].

Emotional Impact of Relapse

Beyond the physical risks, relapse can also have a profound emotional impact. It can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness, which can further fuel the cycle of addiction. The person may feel like they've failed and may struggle to regain their motivation for recovery. This emotional toll can be just as damaging as the physical risks, and it's crucial to provide emotional support alongside any practical assistance.

Understanding these risks is essential in supporting a friend through a relapse. The knowledge allows for a more empathetic approach to their situation, while also emphasizing the need for professional help and intervention to prevent severe consequences.

Supporting a Friend

When a friend suffers a relapse, it can be a challenging time for both them and the people around them. However, it's essential to remember that relapse is often a part of the recovery process. Here are some pointers on how to support a friend who has relapsed.

Choosing the Right Approach

Finding the right way to approach a friend who has relapsed can be difficult. According to Burning Tree, it is crucial to choose the right time and place to talk. This conversation should take place when your friend is sober and in a quiet and non-threatening environment.

As per GoodRx, the most effective way to help someone through a relapse is to take a kind and supportive approach, ask them how you can help, and avoid aggression and hostility. Depending on a loved one's stage of change in their recovery journey, different actions can be taken, such as expressing love and concern, discussing the pros and cons of change, helping create a plan, and offering praise and reinforcement.

Expressing Concern Effectively

When expressing concern to a friend who has relapsed, it's crucial to do so without judgment or blame. According to Burning Tree, accusatory statements can lead to defensiveness and can hinder their recovery process. Instead, using "I" statements to communicate your feelings can help keep them from becoming defensive. For example, you might say something like, "I've noticed you've been drinking more lately, and I'm concerned about you."

Patience and understanding are also critical when offering support to a friend who has relapsed. Recovery is not a linear journey, and there may be ups and downs, forward movements, and setbacks. Patience is key, and attempting to understand the struggle your friend is going through can help you better support them.

While it's important to be supportive, you should avoid enabling behaviors. Enabling occurs when you protect the person with addiction from the consequences of their actions. It is crucial to understand the difference between supporting and enabling. Supporting involves being there emotionally and encouraging them to seek help, while enabling directly or indirectly supports their addiction. Offering support in the right way can make a significant difference in your friend's journey to recovery.

Managing Relapse

When a friend suffers a relapse, it's essential to understand both the immediate actions needed and the long-term solutions to support them effectively. Managing relapse is a delicate process that requires understanding, appropriately tailored interventions, and continuous care.

Long-term Solutions

Long-term solutions for managing relapse are vital as they aim to prevent relapse as much as possible. Effective strategies assist individuals dependent on alcohol or other drugs in reducing the risks of relapse on the road to recovery [1].

Understanding and accepting that relapse is often an integral part of recovery from addiction can pave the way for effective support and assistance. Addiction is a chronic disease, and individuals recovering from any kind of addiction often experience at least one relapse.

A long-term solution could involve a comprehensive relapse prevention plan that includes strategies for coping with cravings, avoiding high-risk situations, implementing a healthy lifestyle, and seeking ongoing support from peers or professionals. Remember, the goal is not just to recover from a relapse but to also build resilience against future ones.

Immediate Behavioral Changes

Immediate action is necessary when a friend suffers a relapse, especially because relapse can be dangerous for someone who has abstained from drug use for a long time. Those who have been in recovery for a lengthy amount of time will lose their tolerance for the drug of abuse, and taking the amount they were accustomed to consuming during the height of their abuse could result in overdose and even death.

Depending on a loved one's stage of change in their recovery journey, different actions can be taken, such as expressing love and concern, discussing the pros and cons of change, helping create a plan, and offering praise and reinforcement [4].

The stages of change, including precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action, help understand a person’s readiness for sobriety. It's crucial to act based on the individual's stage to be most effective in supporting their recovery after a relapse.

The immediate behavioral changes in the wake of a relapse could involve seeking immediate medical attention if necessary, getting the person back into treatment if they've left, and reinforcing the benefits of sobriety and the negative consequences of continuing substance use. It's crucial to respond promptly and appropriately to a relapse to minimize its impact and get the recovery process back on track.

Warning Signs

Recognizing the warning signs of relapse is crucial in the journey of recovery. Being aware of the potential triggers and dangerous patterns can provide valuable information to act promptly and prevent relapse.

Triggers for Relapse

Many factors can lead a person to relapse, including personal challenges like problems at work, emotional and psychological issues, and social or economic problems. A very common warning sign of relapse is the romanticizing of drug use. This can lead a person in recovery to believe they can use again without falling back into their addiction. It is important to recognize this as a dangerous trigger for relapse.

Monitoring who a person in recovery interacts with can also help to prevent relapse. Revisiting old relationships that involved drug use can be a trigger for substance abuse. Isolating oneself from supportive resources can also put one at a greater risk for relapse.

Recognizing Dangerous Patterns

Relapse is more of a process than the singular event of resuming use. It’s broken down into three stages: Emotional relapse, Mental relapse, and Physical relapse. Recognizing these stages can provide early warning signs and help prevent a full-blown relapse.

Depression is another dangerous pattern to watch out for. Depression puts a person at a higher risk for suicide, as does substance abuse. The risk for suicide rises dramatically when someone suffers from both depression and substance abuse. Recognizing signs of depression in someone in recovery is crucial to prevent relapse [3].

In conclusion, recognizing the warning signs and understanding the triggers can play a significant role in preventing a relapse. It's important to be vigilant and proactive, offering support and assistance whenever necessary. Remember, relapse is often an integral part of recovery from addiction, and understanding this can pave the way for effective support and assistance [2].

Recovery Support

Supporting a friend who is dealing with a relapse requires a delicate balance of patience, understanding, and careful action. It's crucial to avoid enabling behaviors while offering emotional support and encouraging them to seek help.

Patience and Understanding

When a friend suffers a relapse, it's crucial to remember that recovery is not a linear journey. It's a process filled with ups and downs, forward movements, and setbacks. Patience and understanding are key during these trying times. Try to understand the struggle your friend is going through and remember that they are battling a difficult addiction. This understanding can help you better support them during their recovery journey [2].

It's also important to understand the stages of change, which include precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action. By recognizing the stage your friend is in, you can provide the most effective support for their recovery after a relapse.

Depending on your friend's stage of change, different actions may be appropriate. These could include expressing love and concern, discussing the pros and cons of change, helping create a plan, and offering praise and reinforcement [4].

Avoiding Enabling Behaviors

While it's important to support your friend, it's equally important to avoid enabling behaviors. Enabling occurs when you protect the person with addiction from the consequences of their actions, which can directly or indirectly support their addiction.

Understanding the difference between supporting and enabling is key. Supporting involves being there emotionally and encouraging your friend to seek help, while enabling can lead to furthering their addiction. It's crucial to express your concerns in a direct and respectful manner, listen to their feelings, ask how you can help before offering suggestions, and potentially offer ways to support them, such as finding treatment or attending a self-help meeting together.

By practicing patience, understanding, and avoiding enabling behaviors, you can offer meaningful support to a friend who is dealing with a relapse. Remember, it's important to take care of your own emotional wellbeing during this time as well.

References

[1]: https://adf.org.au/reducing-risk/relapse/

‍[2]: https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/top-10-relapse-prevention-skills/

‍[3]: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/adult-addiction-treatment-programs/signs-of-relapse

‍[4]: https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/substance-use-disorder/how-help-someone-who-relapsed

‍[5]: https://www.aquilarecovery.com/blog/ways-to-support-a-recovering-alcoholic-that-has-relapsed/‍