Addiction and Relapse

This excerpt is from EverydayHealth.com regarding addiction and relapse:

Addiction relapse is generally considered to be the return to substance use after a period of abstinence. However, according to James Garbutt, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and a researcher at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, “Relapse has different definitions. Some would say that it is a return to any amount of substance use, while others would say it is a return to heavy use. The medical profession states that a relapse is a return to destructive or heavier use.”

It’s an important distinction: If you drink one beer on one occasion, you have had a lapse. But if you are abusing regularly or your alcohol or drug abuse is causing negative consequences in any area of your life, you are having a relapse and need professional help.

Addiction Relapse: Why Does It Happen?

“Relapse can occur because an addictive disorder is a chronic disorder. As there is no cure, there is always the potential for relapse,” notes Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City. “Anyone can relapse.”

Dr. Garbutt agrees, “Addiction is a chronic illness, and like any other chronic illness, it must be managed over time.”

Yes, “it must be managed over time.” This is the downfall of those who’re chemically dependent and don’t understand or accept the importance of long term management and abstinence — the addict hits a bad spot and proclaims they’ll stop and get straight, then when things are better the person gradually slips back into old mindsets and behaviors, starts using again and the addiction gets worse.  Just because someone gets drugs out of their system for a period of time doesn’t mean they’re cured — there’s no known cure for chemical dependence. This is the serious nature of addiction that the recovering person accepts in order to maintain motivation to manage the addiction. It would be malpractice to implant in the addict’s mind that relapse is almost inevitable and all they have to do is get back on track. The problem with relapse is that the person has no guarantee that they can get back in recovery. Many recovering addicts relapse and don’t return, they die from their addiction. It’s very hard to get back into recovery after relapse, and there’s no value in pretending it’s easy, especially multiple relapses. Yes, if an alcoholic slips and gives into the temptation to drink a beer, then calls someone who can help and give support, than gets back to his/her support group and talks about the lapse, it’s not that hard to start over. Relapses are different, and lapses often turn into long term relapses and active, destructive addiction.

Professionals working with addiction and relapse have to be careful that they don’t give the impression that relapse is inevitable. Relapse is not inevitable. A major part of addiction treatment is learning coping skills to avoid and prevent relapse. Everyone leaving treatment should follow a recovery plan. When relapse happens, though, it does no good to shame a person for not trying hard enough, because recovery from addiction is difficult, but the recovering addict also needs to know that if certain steps are taken and recovery is managed according to a long term plan that includes medical management, then the chances are good they can achieve long term recovery.