In each person’s recovery story, there may be times where hope and despair dance a little too close. And we want to know the reasons relapses happen. Understanding relapse is a bit like knowing why the chicken really crossed the road. Except, it’s not about getting to the other side; it’s about realizing the road is part of the journey.
So, let’s explore the sometimes bumpy road to recovery—particularly why relapses happen and what we can do to avoid them.
Here Are 5 Common Reasons Relapses Happen
1. The Sneaky Beast: Stress
It’s like that one guest at your party who wasn’t invited but shows up anyway, eats all your snacks, and leaves a mess behind. Stress, in its many disguises, is a common trigger for relapse. The science is pretty clear: stress can poke at the brain’s reward system, convincing you that substances seem like a fantastic way to cope. It’s a deadly one, partially because it is so common. Stress comes from all sides and could come at any moment.
Combat Strategy: Mindfulness meditation, exercise, and therapy are like the bouncers at the party, ready to show stress the door. Building a robust stress-management toolkit can help keep your neural pathways focused on healthier rewards, like the joy of a good book or the serenity of a walk in nature.
2. The Circle of (Not So) Friends
Humans are social creatures, and our environments play a massive role in our behavior. Hanging out with friends or in places where substance use is common or was common in your life is a perfect way to trigger cravings and psychological dependence.
It’s not just peer pressure; it’s about the cues and context that whisper, “This is what we do here.” And your very body remembering and agreeing.
Combat Strategy: Cultivating a sober network is like building your own team, where everyone supports each other’s sobriety. Support groups, sober hobbies, and friends who respect your journey can create a protective bubble against the world of substance use.
3. Quiet Complacency
Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, and sometimes, we start feeling a bit too comfortable after reaching certain milestones. This complacency is sneaky; it tiptoes in when we least expect it, convincing us that “just one” won’t hurt. It’s akin to thinking you’re an expert surfer the first time you manage to stand up on the board without falling. Spoiler: the ocean has other plans.
Combat Strategy: Continuous engagement in recovery activities, like meetings, therapy, and self-reflection, keeps you on your toes. Remember, every day is a new day in recovery, and treating it with the respect and attention it deserves helps keep complacency at bay.
4. Emotional Overload
Life doesn’t stop throwing curveballs just because we’re in recovery. Emotional upheavals – be they joyous, sorrowful, or infuriating – can send us reaching for our old coping mechanisms. The intensity of emotions can overwhelm the brain’s rational parts, leading us back to substances as a way to “feel better.”
Combat Strategy: Developing emotional resilience is key. Therapy, journaling, and strong support systems can help process these emotions healthily. It’s about writing your own script, where handling emotions doesn’t involve substance use but rather constructive strategies that add depth to your character.
5. Testing the Waters
Sometimes, curiosity doesn’t kill the cat; it just makes the cat believe it has nine lives. This overconfidence can lead individuals in recovery to “test” their control over substance use, often with the belief that they can handle it “this time.” It’s a dangerous game of mental chess where the stakes are your sobriety—possibly your life.
Combat Strategy: Reinforcing the understanding that recovery is about abstinence, not moderation, is crucial. Education, therapy, and reminders of the hard-won gains in recovery can help quell the curiosity of testing the waters and reinforce the commitment to sobriety.
Reasons Relapses Happen: The Good Within the Bad
Has it already happened? If you have had a relapse, and wonder the reasons relapses happen it is crucial to not see it as a sign of failure, but a chance to move forward. It can a step on the long road of recovery that sometimes loops back on itself. It’s frustrating, yes, but also a chance to learn, grow, and strengthen your resolve.
With the right strategies, support, and a healthy dose of self-compassion, navigating the bumps on the road becomes a part of the journey’s beauty, not its downfall.
If you are concerned about the reasons relapses happen because you relapsed in your addiction journey, it is a good idea to call your support system. If you don’t know where to start, call Saddleback recovery today. We can help you understand what to do now, and what your next steps should be. Call today: (877) 843-5724.
