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Group therapy session at an inpatient rehab center talking about relapse potential.

What Are The Signs Of Addiction Relapse?

February 26, 2024

Have you become less focused on your addiction recovery? Are you at times passing on support group sessions? Have you found yourself slipping back into prior habits? You may be on a path to addiction relapse. Even though relapse is common for people who have undergone addiction treatment in New Jersey, it can put you in at great risk. 

But, if you know the signs of addiction relapse, you may keep yourself or a person you care about safe and on sobriety’s path.

Addiction Relapse Typically Happens In Stages

The signs of relapse in New Jersey generally emerge in three distinctive phases. Explore what they are and what you could experience in them.

Emotional Relapse

At this initial phase, you aren’t conciously giving consideration to using but could encounter triggers that prompt unfavorable thoughts. You may not be as concentrated on your recovery and replace group meetings with older coping mechanisms. These self-destructive patterns may cause mood changes, anxiety, or depression. Needed self-care such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and working out could diminish. 

Mental Relapse

After the emotional stage, you may conciously consider using during mental relapse. You may become nostalgic for your previous lifestyle without considering the pain and hardship it generated. You might even daydream about consuming drugs or alcohol as a coping tool. There’s usually a personal conflict as part of you wants to use while the other desires to maintain sobriety.

As the mental relapse strengthens, you could begin rationalizing why you use drugs or alcohol. You could also start planning ways you can obtain addictive substances. You may even begin to have cravings for drugs or alcohol, particularly during moments of high stress.

Physical Relapse

By this time, relapse is in effect, and you are resuming your previous routines of substance use. Old habits come back, and the cycle of self-medication may return.  Relationships could become more turbulent|, as relapse can bring about additional feelings of shame and anger. Contingent on the length of time you’ve been in relapse and your level of use, you might need to detox again or reenter inpatient rehab in New Jersey.

Don’t Ignore The Preliminary Signs of Relapse

You won’t simply wake up one morning and opt to begin using again. Typically, gradual changes in your behavior or thought process indicate a relapse may be on the horizon. Here are several early signs of relapse:

  • Forgoing therapy sessions or group meetings.
  • Recovery takes a back seat in your life
  • Feeling sentimental about taking drugs or alcohol and how it once made you feel
  • Distressing emotions like anger and frustration become more common, and you have trouble controlling them.

If you’ve found yourself losing interest in your recovery objectives, it’s time to delve into your substance use treatment plan to see if modifications or a new method of care is warranted.

Does An Addiction Relapse In New Jersey Signify Recovery Has Failed?

Similar to other chronic medical afflictions, relapse will always be a consideration in drug and alcohol addiction. Around 40-60% of people will have a relapse, even though the chances are increased in the first year. Recovering from a substance use disorder is a process. Regrettably, relapse might be an aspect of it. It’s an opportunity to consider your plan of medical treatment and make modifications to help you refocus. Addiction relapse doesn’t signify your recovery failed.

Relapse Is Common But Also Unsafe

Even though relapse is common, it’s important to recognize the pitfalls associated with it. There’s a greater chance of overdose if you return to using drugs or alcohol at your past levels. Your body has become accustomed to a life of sobriety and may have difficulty dealing with a sudden inpouring of the substance. This situation can be hazardous and even deadly, particularly for drugs like opiates. Find help if you detect signs of relapse to keep yourself or someone you care about safe.

Need Help For Addiction Relapse In New Jersey? Reach Out To Evolve Recovery Center Today

Are you concerned about addiction relapse in New Jersey? Evolve Recovery Center is ready for you regardless of where you are on your recovery journey. Contact 908-824-6433 at any hour to find the guidance you require for long-term sobriety.