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. It prevents someone from being honest and reaching out for help. And it 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.

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