It is heartbreaking to watch someone you have become friends with in recovery relapse on drugs and alcohol again. If your mind is racing, you’re not alone. We understand what you’re going through.
- Thank Goodness I’m Still Sober. The first thought after learning that a close friend has relapsed is usually a tie between number one and number two on this list. Rationally, we immediately count our blessings for staying sober another day. Relapse can be messy, throwing everything you’ve worked for this far in treatment away. Feeling very humbling and reverent gratitude is common.
- What If I Could Relapse Too? This is the tied thought for what comes first after learning about a friend’s relapse. Addiction isn’t rational, which is why an irrational thought like relapsing yourself comes to mind. Even the thought of using drugs and alcohol again can stimulate the mind in such a way that it produces signals for cravings. Your brain wants to tell you that it will be a good idea and even though everything might not be fine after, it would be worth the trouble. Nobody comes back from a relapse saying it was worth it. It never is.
- Will I Be Able To Stay Sober? Could relapse happen to you? It is always a possibility, but it doesn’t have to be a reality. Relapse is many things, one of which is a choice. Recovery is about developing the skill set to continue choosing sobriety, even in the face of temptation.
- The Reality Of Addiction Is Real. You hear some intimidating statistics about addiction and recovery, like not many people who enter treatment stay sober long-term. The compulsive desire to abuse drugs and alcohol is very alive in the brain. Recovery requires hard work, willingness, and commitment.
- What Can I Do to Enhance My Recovery? You’re not sure what led to their relapse, but you are sure you don’t want to be led down any similar kind of path. Check-in on your program of recovery and step it up a few notches. Harm won’t come from more recovery in your life, but it can come from less recovery in your life.
Our sober monitoring services, after-care programs, and personal recovery assistants are all methods for relapse prevention in the early stages of recovery. At Hired Power, our family of compassionate recovery professionals serves to help your family bring recovery home. Recovery can be for a lifetime. For more information, call us today at 800.910.9299.