Avoiding relapse

Following are some symptoms of relapse that you may experience on your pathway to wellness.

• Lack of discipline — A lack of discipline can bring about complacency and boredom and may lead to relapse.
• Expecting too much from yourself — Recovering people need to set reasonable goals for themselves and not expect too much too soon.
• Impatience — It is easy to feel that things are not happening fast enough or that others are not doing what they should.
• Conflict — Disputing small and ridiculous points of view indicates a need to always be right and is frequently used as an excuse to drink.
• Depression — If you experience unreasonable or unaccountable feelings of despair that occur in cycles, deal with this promptly by talking to people who can help.
• Self-pity — When you begin asking questions like “Why don’t people appreciate all that I’m doing?” you may need to investigate whether those close to you see you as experiencing self-pity, a symptom conducive to relapse.
• Frustration — Being frustrated with people because things are not going your way may be a symptom of relapse. Remember, everything is not going to happen just the way you want it to during your recovery.
• Complacency — When a recovering person says “Drinking or using is the farthest thing from my mind,” it is likely that not drinking or using is no longer a conscious thought. It is dangerous to let up on disciplines when things seem to be going well because this is when relapses occur.
• Expecting too much from others — You may think, “I’ve changed, why hasn’t everyone else?” You cannot expect others to change just because you have.
• “It can’t happen to me” — A relapse can happen to anyone; and it does—when one is careless with personal discipline. It is important to remember that alcoholism/addiction is a progressive disease and that, like any disease, relapse impedes progress.
• Use of mood-altering chemicals — It is important that your family physician be aware of your alcoholism/addiction. Many times a seemingly harmless drug can be prescribed which can cause you to lose sobriety.
• Ungratefulness — It is important to look at the progress you have made rather than focus on the negative aspects of your life. Gratitude flourishes in a sober mind that concentrates on getting along with others.

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