Relapse Signs and Symptoms
Experiencing Post Acute Withdrawal: I
start having problems with one or more of the following; thinking
difficulties, emotional overreaction problems, sleep disturbances,
memory difficulties, becoming accident prone, and/or starting to
experience a serious sensitivity to stress.
Return To Denial: I stop telling others
what I’m thinking/feeling and start trying to convince myself
or others that everything is all right, when in fact it is not.
Avoidance And Defensive Behavior: I start
avoiding people who will give me honest feedback and/or I start
becoming irritable and angry with them.
Starting To Crisis Build: I start to
notice that ordinary everyday problems become overwhelming and no
matter how hard I try, I can’t solve my problems.
Feeling Immobilized (Stuck): I start
believing that there is nowhere to turn and no way to solve my problems.
I feel trapped and start to use magical thinking.
Becoming Depressed: I start feeling down-in-the
dumps and have very low energy. I may even become so depressed that
I start thinking of suicide.
Compulsive And/Or Impulsive Behaviors (Loss Of Control):
I start using one or more of the following- food, sex, caffeine,
nicotine, work, gambling, etc. often in an out of control fashion.
And/or I may react without thinking of the consequences of my behavior
on myself and others.
Urges And Cravings (Thinking About Drinking/Using):
I begin to think that alcohol/drug use is the only way to feel better.
I start thinking about justifications to drink/use and convince
myself that using is the logical thing to do.
Chemical Loss Of Control (Drinking/Using):
I find myself drinking/using again to solve my problems. I start
to believe that “it’s all over ‘till I hit bottom,
so I may as well enjoy this relapse while it’s good.”
My problems continue to get worse.
Adapted from Terence T. Gorski's Warning Sign
Identification Process
THE TEN MOST COMMON RELAPSE DANGERS
1. Being in the presence of drugs or alcohol, drug or alcohol users,
or places where you used or bought chemicals.
2. Feelings we perceive as negative, particularly anger; also sadness,
loneliness, guilt, fear, and anxiety.
3. Positive feelings that make you want to celebrate.
4. Boredom.
5. Getting high on any drug.
6. Physical pain.
7. Listening to war stories and just dwelling on getting high.
8. Suddenly having a lot of cash.
9. Using prescription drugs that can get you high even if you use
them properly.
10. Believing that you no longer have to worry (complacent). That
is, that you are no longer stimulated to crave drugs/alcohol by
any of the above situations, or by anything else – and therefore
maybe it’s safe for you to use occasionally.
RELAPSE ATTITUDES
SOBRIETY IS BORING
I’LL NEVER DRINK/USE AGAIN
I CAN DO IT MYSELF
I’M NOT AS BAD AS …..
I OWE THIS ONE TO ME
MY PROBLEMS CAN’T BE SOLVED
I WISH I WAS HAPPY
I DON’T CARE
IF NOBODY ELSE CARES, WHY SHOULD I?
THINGS HAVE CHANGED
I CAN SUBSTITUTE
THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT
THERE’S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY
I CAN’T CHANGE THE WAY I THINK
IF I MOVE, EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE
I LIKE MY OLD FRIENDS
I CAN DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY
NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW HOW I FEEL
I’M DEPRESSED
I SEE THINGS MY WAY ONLY
I FEEL HOPELESS
I CAN HANDLE IT
IF I HIDE BEHIND EVERYONE ELSE’S PROBLEMS, I WON’T
HAVE TO FACE MY OWN
I CAN’T DO IT
WHY TRY
THE EVENT: A RETURN TO THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR
DRUGS.
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