Warning Signs of a Relapse

Warning Signs

• A common saying is that relapse is a part of the recovery process.
  • There may be some truth to this, but full physical relapse is always preventative. 
    • However, physical relapse is very common for people early on in recovery.
      • Because new people to recovery are unaware of the warning signs.
• It is generally apparent to those with experience when someone is getting close to relapsing.
  • Warning signs:
    • Stop coming to meetings or working with mentor/sponsor
    • Maintaining the same lifestyle as before recovery
    • Not being transparent with people close to them
    • Taking on unnecessary stress (e.g. new romantic relationship)
    • Lack of humility or short-term memory about addictive past
    • Focus on other people or things rather than personal recovery
    • Not taking steps to change their life (Nothing changes if nothing changes)
• The most destructive outcome of relapse is the shame and discouragement experienced.
  • Prevents someone from being honest and reaching out for help.
  • May cause someone to want to give up on recovery

It’s A Process

• It’s important to understand that relapse is a process, not an event. There are typically three stages to a relapse.

1. Emotional: You’re feeling depressed and you’re losing some of your important habits. 
2. Mental: You’re reliving old stories or even glamorizing the days when you were using.
3. Physical: You start using again.

• Emotional Stage
  • Emotions are powerful. And as addicts, we’ve spent a lot of time letting our emotions rule us.
  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is how well you know your emotions and how they affect you and those around you.
  • It takes a great level of humility to admit emotions we are struggling with.
  • Some feelings and emotions may seem irrelevant, but they can have a greater impact on us than we realize: (H.A.L.T – Hungry, Angry Lonely, and Tired)
• Mental Stage
  • When our emotions are in charge, we struggle to think logically.
    • We forget how destructive our past behavior was and begin to fantasize about using again.
  • 2 Corinthians 10:5 – We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (ESV)
• Physical Relapse
  • By the time a physical relapse occurs, it’s shocking and confusing to see the path that led to it.

Self-Awareness

• Be aware of these stages and stop yourself before you get to the physical stage where you’re actually using.
  • Be open about emotional struggles with mentor/sponsor and in recovery groups
    • Even when they seem insignificant.
  • Be honest with yourself by taking a daily inventory.
    • Take note of areas of where spiritual disciplines are waning, like prayer, Bible study, and fellowship.
• At the end of the day, it’s only our relationship with God and operating in His strength that will give us the discernment we need to stay sober.
  • Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (ESV)