Once a person decides not to use drugs or alcohol any more, how does that person end up using again? Do relapses happen completely by accident? Or are there warning signs and ways to avoid relapse back into alcohol or drug addiction?
Relapse justification is a process that happens in people’s minds. A person may have decided to stop using alcohol and/or drugs but the person’s brain is still healing and still feels the need for mood-altering substances. The addicted brain invents excuses that allow the person in recovery from addiction to edge close enough to relapse situations that relapse can happen. You may remember a time when you intended to stay drug or alcohol free but you invented a justification for using, and before you knew it, you had used again.
Understanding and anticipating the justifications help you interrupt the process. Use the questions below to help you identify justifications you might be susceptible to:
Substance dependence is cured
Has your addicted brain ever convinced you that you could use alcohol or drugs just once or use just a little? For example, have you said any of the following?
- I’m back in control. I’ll be able to stop when I want to.
- I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll only use small amounts of alcohol or drugs and only once in a while.
- This substance was not my problem—another substance was my problem, so I can use this particular substance and not relapse.
Testing Yourself
It’s very easy to forget that being smart, not being strong, is the key to staying abstinent.
Have you ever wanted to prove you could be stronger than alcohol or drugs? For example, have you said any of the following?
- I’m strong enough to be around it now.
- I want to see whether I can say “No” to drinking and using drugs.
- I want to see whether I can be around my old friends.
- I want to see how the high feels now that I’ve stopped using.
If you have previously had a successful period of abstinence from drugs or alcohol but have relapsed, now is the time to re-engage in the recovery process. For more information, please contact us
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Relapse Prevention From Asia’s Leading Treatment Center
Once a person decides not to use drugs or alcohol any more, how does that person end up using again? Do relapses happen completely by accident? Or are there warning signs and ways to avoid relapse back into alcohol or drug addiction?
Relapse justification is a process that happens in people’s minds. A person may have decided to stop using alcohol and/or drugs but the person’s brain is still healing and still feels the need for mood-altering substances. The addicted brain invents excuses that allow the person in recovery from addiction to edge close enough to relapse situations that relapse can happen. You may remember a time when you intended to stay drug or alcohol free but you invented a justification for using, and before you knew it, you had used again. Understanding and anticipating the justifications help you interrupt the process. Use the questions below to help you identify justifications you might be susceptible to:
Substance dependence is cured
Has your addicted brain ever convinced you that you could use alcohol or drugs just once or use just a little? For example, have you said any of the following?
Testing Yourself
It’s very easy to forget that being smart, not being strong, is the key to staying abstinent. Have you ever wanted to prove you could be stronger than alcohol or drugs? For example, have you said any of the following?
If you have previously had a successful period of abstinence from drugs or alcohol but have relapsed, now is the time to re-engage in the recovery process. For more information, please contact us