The potential for relapse never goes away completely. However, you can have confidence in your recovery from drugs and alcohol. By recognizing addiction relapse warning signs, you can live your life after rehab without the fears of returning to substance abuse.
Specifically, there are a variety of addiction relapse warning signs to look out for. Below, we will discuss five warning signs that may indicate a relapse in drug or alcohol use.
Revisiting Past Relationships
If someone you love is in recovery but is also returning to old relationships that were influential in their substance abuse, then they may be on the path to relapse. In fact, this is a clear sign that you need to reach out.
Increase in Isolation
Is your friend in relapse avoiding people, their recovery groups, or family? If so, this sudden isolation often precedes relapse. Moreover, addiction relapse warning signs, such as isolation, regularly lead to avoidance of responsibilities.
Perception of Casual Use
Many people in recovery begin to believe casual use won’t lead to full-blown addiction again. For example, if they begin to talk about using again, this is an obvious sign of a possible relapse.
Anxiety, Anger, and Mood Swings
Emotional relapse doesn’t necessarily mean the person in recovery is thinking about using. However, they may begin to express changes in emotions such as anxiety, anger, and mood swings. Defensiveness and intolerance are also addiction relapse warning signs. If you notice any of these, it’s important to seek further help.
Change in Eating Habits
Poor eating habits are a clear-cut sign that substance abuse may re-enter, or has re-entered, the life of someone in recovery. Moreover, self-care, in general, will begin to falter if relapse is on the horizon.
Facing Addiction Relapse Warning Signs With Recovery Support
After rehab, it may be difficult to transition back to daily life. However, recovery support at Ashley Addiction Treatment will help you throughout this process. By continuing your recovery through group meetings and recovery events, you will have valuable resources in coping skills and relapse prevention. For example, these programs may include:
- Relapse prevention
- Aftercare
- Sober living
- Coping skills
- Alumni support
As a result, you will learn from others in recovery while maintaining your sobriety. Participation in aftercare will also ease your mind during the early months of transitioning back to daily life. To learn more about addiction relapse warning signs, contact Ashley Addiction Treatment today at (866) 313-6310.
