Throughout your early recovery, there will be challenges and cravings you’ll need to face and overcome. You’ve worked so hard to get clean and sober, but maybe there is a voice in the back of your head saying “you can use just one more time”. Perhaps you’re a concerned loved one after your child, spouse, or friend has come home from treatment but is not acting normally. There are early warning signs that should create pause and concern. Drug relapse behavior is often subtle but can be noticed by the addict or by his/her loved ones if you know what to look for.
4 Signs You’re Heading for a Relapse
- Thinking about the “good times” – if you’re reminiscing or romanticizing your drug use, then you’re heading down the wrong path. This is called euphoric recall and your mind is simply playing tricks on you. If you play the whole tape, you know what happens at the end: pain, misery, agony, and suffering. Drug addiction never has a good ending.
- Searching for the people, places, and things – it’s not a good sign if you’re reconnecting with drug buddies and enjoying the areas you used to frequent when getting high. This is a good time to refocus and get back on track. Diving back into the same ole’ environment is too tempting for many people that struggle with drug addiction and alcoholism.
- Distancing yourself from the recovery community – breaking down the social relationships that you’ve made is a popular path to isolation and depression. This is a common relapse behavior that should have you alarmed. If you’re skipping on twelve step meetings and avoiding your sponsor…alarm bells should be going off. Starting to resent those that are trying to help you is a negative behavior that needs to be addressed.
- Losing interest in hobbies/passions – keeping yourself occupied with positive activities is a great way to maintain your recovery. If your interest in what you love doing is decreasing, then it could be a red flag and an early warning sign.
These are just a few tell-tale early warning signs that could shine a light on a person’s actions and behaviors when heading toward a drug or alcohol relapse. Identifying relapse behavior is not an exact science because everyone is individual and unique. Some people may be very good at hiding what they’re truly thinking, while others you can read from a mile away.
Long Island Interventions
We’ve helped countless individuals and families that are affected by drug addiction and alcoholism across the New York area. Many people who develop a substance use disorder find it very difficult to stop using without professional help. If you or someone you know is looking for a detox, drug rehab, intervention, or outpatient drug rehab, give our interventionists a call today!