3.+Effects+of+Relapse

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= Coping with the Effects of Relapse = = =

"Rather than viewing a brief relapse back to inactivity as a failure, treat it as a challenge and try to get back on track as soon as possible." - Jimmy Connors
====When it comes to understanding relapse one must look deeper into the duration a drug user has been abusing and the short-term and long-term effects related to that addiction. One must understand that after being so heavily dependent on a substance it can be hard to make the right change to a drug free life. Because of this it is not surprising that some people return to their drug addictive behaviour. Relapse can be discouraging and can cause people to feel failure. It can make people feel vulnerable and weak during a time when they need courage and strength. Relapse should be considered not so much as a brick wall but more so as a temporary setback, a learning experience, to realize what works for you and what does not that way recovery is possible. It should not be looked at as failure. Instead the things that were changed should be recognized such as; using less often, positive lifestyle changes, and reducing or eliminating high-risk behaviours to improve a more positive approach at overcoming addiction (Change, Recovery and Relapse Prevention, 2010). ====
 * Understanding Relapse: **

**The Decision Making Process **
====To better understand the process of relapsing behaviour it is important to focus on what is involved during the decision making process for such a change. Accepting the need for change is a difficult choice and takes a long time. Change does not happen overnight, it is a process that occurs in stages and takes a long time to be fully aware of. Below is a model of stages of change which explain the complications a drug user faces when determining that there is a problem and establishing a plan of action to overcome their addiction and how it may lead to a lapse in drug addictive behaviours (Change, Recovery and Relapse Prevention, 2010).====

The Stages of Change
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 * 1) ====The first stage of the change process is the //precontemplation stage//, during this stage the drug abuser is not aware that their life problems are linked to their reliance on drugs. Therefore they do not see a need in changing their addiction because they do not see the real implications of their addiction (Change, Recovery and Relapse Prevention, 2010).====
 * 2) ====The second stage is the //contemplation stage//, at this point the drug abuser realizes that there may be a problem with their reliance of drugs and starts to draw connections to their life. However although they may see the bad things about using they also feel the good things and can become torn between the two (Change, Recovery and Relapse Prevention, 2010).====
 * 3) ====The third stage is the //preparation stage//, by now the drug abuser is getting ready to make a change. They usually enter this stage by attending a treatment program or setting a date to change their substance use. This would be the goal setting phase, where they begin to put a plan into action (Change, Recovery and Relapse Prevention, 2010).====
 * 4) ====The fourth stage is the //action stage//, at this point the drug abuser is beginning to make a conscious effort to change their drug addictive behaviour. This occurs by the drug abuser reducing the amount of drug intake It's their beginning to a foot in the right direction (Change, Recovery and Relapse Prevention, 2010).====
 * 5) ====The fifth stage is the //maintenance stage//, drug abusers enter this stage once they continue with these changes for 2-6 months (Change, Recovery and Relapse Prevention, 2010).====

====After considering the stages of change it is important to look at the different stages of relapse a recovering addict has to go through. There are three stages of relapse; emotional, mental and physical (Addiction Relapse Prevention Plan, 2010).====

**Emotional Relapse **
= = ====In this stage of relapse the drug abuser is not thinking about using drugs instead their emotions and behaviours are overwhelming and encouraging possible relapse. These signs of emotional triggers are also symptoms related to that of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (Addiction Relapse Prevention Plan, 2010).====

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**Some emotional triggers include: **

 * ====**//Anxiety//**====
 * ====**//Intolerance//**====
 * ====**//Anger//**====
 * ====**//Defensiveness//**====
 * ====**//Mood swings//**====
 * ====**//Isolation//**====
 * ====**//Not asking for help//**====
 * ====**//Not going to meetings//**====
 * ====**//Poor eating habits//**====
 * ====**//Poor sleep habits//**====

**Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) **
====Webster's online dictionary defines post-acute withdrawal syndrome, "as a set of impairments that occur after withdrawal of a substance. The condition can last six to eighteen months after the last drug use. Post-acute withdrawal affects many aspects of recovery and everyday life. Symptoms occur in three-quarters of drug abusers who are in recovery" (Definition of PAWS, n.d.).====


 * Common Symptoms of PAWS are: **
 * ====**//Inability to think clearly//**====
 * ====**//Memory problems//**====
 * ====**//Emotional overreactions or numbness//**====
 * ====**//Sleep disturbances//**====
 * ====**//Physical coordination problems//**====
 * ====**//Stress sensitivity//**====

**What Causes Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome? **
====The symptoms of PAWS occur because the brains ability to react to stress has been weakened by long-term substance abuse. Stressful situations arise early in recovery and the symptoms of PAWS produce further distress. Therefore it would be beneficial for a recovering addict to avoid or deal with triggers that worsen post-acute withdrawal syndrome to avoid the temptation of relapse (Definition of PAWS, n.d.).====

**So What does this Mean? **
====This means that relapse prevention at this stage involves recognizing that you're in emotional relapse, noticing the symptoms and finding long-term solutions for those feelings you are experience before resulting to a temporary fix and returning once again to drug use.====

====If their behaviour during the emotional relapse stage does not change and they stay in this phase of relapse for too long the drug abuser will become exhausted and will want an escape. This will move the recovering addict from the emotional relapse stage into the mental relapse stage (Addictions Relapse Prevention Plan, 2010).====

==== A person experiencing mental relapse is said to be "having a war going on in their mind" (Addiction Relapse Prevention Plan, 2010). They possess several conflicting thoughts as they are consciously thinking about using drugs, but they know that they want to break free from the addiction; hence they are torn between the two. ==== ==

**The Signs of Mental Relapse are: **

 * ====**// Thinking about people, places, and things you used with //**====
 * ====**// Glamorizing your past use //**====
 * ====**// Lying //**====
 * ====**// Hanging out with old using friends //**====
 * ====**// Fantasizing about using //**====
 * ====**// Thinking about relapsing //**====
 * ====**// Planning your relapse around other people's schedules //**====

**Coping with Mental Urges **

 * 1) ====**//Share how you feel with those you love://** If the drug abuser is having mental urges, it is important for them to share this with their support system. As soon as they begin to share how they are feeling those urges they start to go away because they have support and are not dealing with them alone.====
 * 2) ====//**Keep yourself occupied:**// If when you find that you are having urges you just sit there, they will worsen. If you find something else to do to take your mind off the matter then it will be easier to overlook the temptation. Most urges only last from 15-30 minutes which can seem like forever if you are consistently thinking about using. By keeping yourself busy, you will allow yourself to have an easier time coping through the 30 minutes, then your urge will soon pass.====
 * 3) ====**//Take it one day at a time://** Don't burden yourself by thinking about being clean forever, that is a very overwhelming thought. Just focus on the here and now and take your step to a drug free life one day at a time. You should make your goals in line with your emotional strength that way you are on board with where you want to be and know what you can handle throughout this process of change.====
 * 4) ====**//Relax/ Self-Care://** It is important to make relaxation and self- care a must do while trying to overcome drug addiction. This is so because when you are tense and stressed out you are more incline to do the thing which seems the most familiar for you when coping instead of what is the right way to cope. Being relaxed allows you to have a peaceful mind and accept change more openly (Addiction Relapse Prevention Plan, 2010).====

**Physical Relapse **
====If a drug abuser does not make a solid effort to get the urge or thoughts of using out of their heads then they are more inclined to follow through with the physical relapse and return to using once again. Abstaining from using is the hardest part when it comes to fighting a drug addiction therefore focusing all your efforts on the emotional stage early in recovery and noticing warning signs and understanding the effect that post acute withdrawal syndrome plays when making such decisions will help to create a more successful environment for recovery to take place (Addiction Relapse Prevention Plan, 2010).==== ==

**Physical Signs of Relapse: **

 * ====**//Return of Denial//**====
 * ====**//Avoidance & Defensive Behaviour//**====
 * ====**//Crisis Building//**====
 * ====**//Immobilization//**====
 * ====**//Confusion & Overreaction//**====
 * ====**//Depression//**====
 * ====**//Loss of Behavioural Control//**====
 * ====**//Recognition of Loss of Control//**====
 * ====**//Option Reduction//**====
 * ====**//Acute Relapse Episode//**====

(Relapse Prevention, n.d.).
====There have been studies done showing that as many as 54% of those recovering from an addiction experience a relapse (Drug and Alcohol Relapse Prevention, n.d.). Although relapse is a problem of addiction, it is preventable. The inability to cope with emotional, mental and social forces is one of the main driving forces for this behaviour to occur. ====

<span style="color: #050559; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Below are some statistics of key time frames for the occurrence of relapse in recovering drug abusers:

 * ====<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Approximately 2/3 of all relapses for any addiction occur within the first 90 days. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">During the first 90 days after withdrawing from alcohol or drugs, the drug abuser may experience some periods of poor memory or concentration, or they may also be easily stressed. Which as noted earlier, not coping with stress effectively can lead to relapse. (Drug and Alcohol Relapse Prevention, n.d.). ====

<span style="color: #050559; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">These Statistics Defined:
====<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Although relapse may occur, it does not mean that the addicts' will never win the battle over their addiction. Studies have shown that approximately one-third of those who enter recovery will achieve permanent success their first time. Though this number is small, it does not mean that the other two-thirds will not make a successful recovery. Another third will have brief relapse episodes which eventually result in long-term abstinence and an additional one-third will experience chronic relapses which will result in eventual recovery from their addiction. (Drug and Alcohol Relapse Prevention, n.d.) ==== .