Essay On Relapse

It is estimated that 40 to 60 percent of people relapse after receiving drug addiction treatment. The vast majority of relapses occur within the first 30 to 60 days after treatment. Additionally, it is estimated that half of people who receive treatment for drugs and alcohol will be re-admitted into a treatment facility within five

In relation to drug abuse, relapse is resuming the use of a chemical substance or drug after a period of abstinence. The term can be said to be a landmark feature of a combination of substance abuse and substance independence. The propensity for dependency, repeated use, and tendencies that take the form of the substance being used, are some of the issues that drug users’ experience. Substances that enhance most severe tendencies in users and pose high pharmacological efficacy, are those that are cleared quickly from the body, in addition to those that bring out the highest tolerance. There can be increased substance tolerance with the increasing dependency in relation to drug in question,

Rehabilitation and recovery from addiction involves several steps. These steps are often different depending on what treatment program the person is enrolled into. However, for nearly

In the article “Determining the Relative Importance of the Mechanisms of Behavior Change Within Alcoholics Anonymous: A Multiple Mediator Analysis” the authors conducted research to determine what techniques used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) aid in relapse prevention. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2016) alcohol is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States that is preventable. In 2014 alone, thirty-one percent of all traffic fatalities were alcohol related (NIAAA, 2016). The study participants suffered from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and attended AA. NIAAA (2016) states the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV has integrated alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence into a single alcohol-related disorder, AUD with mild, moderate, and severe classifications. AUD is diagnosed when a client’s drinking causes themselves or others anguish or injury AA began in the 1930’s and is an informal organization of men/women who have a drinking problem (AA, 2016). AA is based upon anonymity along with twelve steps/principles and meetings for those seeking help with sobriety. Research has shown that participating in AA reduces risk of relapse and this article aims to understand the techniques that empowers those to remain sober.

Relapse prevention is a comprehensive plan accounts for social interactions, emotional triggers and the development of positive coping mechanisms (Alcoholic and Drug Addict Relapse Prevention Suggestions, 2015). From the social interaction’s aspect, patients with substance abuse should interact with people who are able to recognize their issues and offer moral support in a daily basis. Loss of a loved one, change in employment, health issues, changes in financial situation, and change in marital status are considered as emotional triggers. The patient

Relapse after completing a program is especially dangerous because the addicts low tolerance may cause them to overdose. Kentucky facilities report up to 75% dropout rate of the 12 step program. At the most successful facility with a 40% dropout rate, they reported half of those who completed it relapsed within the year. To paraphrase Dr. A. Thomas McLellan when the 12 step program was widely picked up no one understood the science of addiction, “We started off with the wrong model.” There is a sense of self accomplishment and strength from within that inspired this program into existence. Professionals have known the system has been broke for awhile, so it was alarming that 90% of drug recovery centers where abstinence was the only solution. Whether this practice came from alcohol treatment, or if the return opioid patients was noted and exploited, I do not know. The financial incentive to tell people their treatment is working on others exists. As residential stay can cost around $31K.

Recovery is the process of participating in a group or program providing treatment and support for a longstanding psychological or behavioral problem, such as abuse, addiction, grief, or trauma (Melemis, Steven, 2015). As a non-addict it seems easy enough to make a decision to stop drinking and follow through with that decision when temptation presents itself, but for an alcoholic it is not the simple. However, an alcoholic struggles with the temptation on a daily bases. Relapse prevention begins with addressing social interactions, emotional triggers, and developing positive coping mechanisms. Recovery and relapse requires is a process that should be done with others around to support each step and each phase of the

DATA: Today’s group has been facilitated by Kirsten again, and includes relapse, what it is, and how each client can prevent it. Being that relapse is a process, it is an ongoing situation that can be interrupted, rather than a static event that is over and cannot be changed. It involves the individual reverting to old attitudes, beliefs, values, and risk behaviors. These are part of a progressive pattern, and will worsen until the process is interrupted or changed. Relapse is not a sign of failure, and, at times, may be part of the recovery process. There are times when individuals are more vulnerable to relapse, specifically, when they are too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (HALT), and need to be aware of this vulnerability, and take

Just as relapse simple does not happen, neither does addiction. Addiction is quite readily accepted as a disease by the public and by professionals, and similar to the majority of diseases, its prevalence depends on a delicate dance of nature and nurture. Just as an individual that is predisposed to heart disease does not catch the disease by eating a single bag of potato chips, someone predisposed to alcoholism must develop a pattern of drinking before it reaches the severity of a “disorder.” The difficulty of avoiding and preventing relapse is wrapped up in all of these factors. While a person can unintentionally fall into alcoholism, it is much more difficult unintentionally fall out of it, and this is where John is struggling.

There are three different styles of recovery initiations according to White and Kurtz (2006). These three styles include quantum (transformational change), conscious incremental change (stage dependent process of change), and drift (gradual reduction of usage). An addict at any point can experience any of these or all three in time. Since addiction can arise from multiple different contextual issues, such as cultural, personal, or familial, recovery experiences can become just as unique (White & Kurtz, 2006). Despite the lack of literature supporting the stages of change model deriving from the conscious incremental change style of recovery (West, 2005), it is still one of the most popular styles studied and used among researchers and clinicians

Relapse is often thought of as an event, such as taking a drink or using a drug: however relapse is actually an extended process that begins long before the use of a chemical substance. There are significant and identifiable phases of relapse.

Recovery is a process and not something that happens overnight. Relapse still remains a challenge in and during the recovery process Relapse can happen at any time, even after years of sobriety. When addicted to something the brain is altered, this sets a person up for relapse and leaves them vulnerable to their addiction. Long-term recovery is attainable, as long as the right form of treatment is used, and as long as the treatment plan is intended for the specific needs of the individual. Addiction causes many changes and (it’s not enough [to] simply get a person off drugs…[the] physical, social, [and] psychological [needs] must also be addressed to help people to stay off drugs for good.) Relapse takes a toll on everyone who is invested in

The third and final stage of recovery is known as late recovery, and involves a client finding growth and meaning in life. In this stage, relapse may be less frequent as a sense of purpose is found. As this stage is found only by enduring great challenges, a client may not be as tempted by relapse and the act of back tracking in their recovery may seem tiresome and unworthy of their time. However, though a deep awareness of the consequences of substance abuse is profound, relapse is still possible if an addict forgets that he or she has a disease that is incurable and succumbs to the enticement of “just this one time can’t hurt” or has the thought that “I have been clean for so long. I am cured.” Bill W. stated in his book Alcoholics Anonymous that “This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it-this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish” (pg. 34). Complete abstinence is the only choice for those with the disease of addiction, and so many recovering addicts forget this simple realization in the late recovery stage.

Sometimes people quit their drug use for a sort of long period of time, but randomly start using or abusing their drugs again no matter how hard they try. This return to drug use is called relapse. People who are recovering from a drug addiction often have one or more relapses along the way. Recovery from an addiction is a life-long effort.

Addiction is a “chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.” The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most individuals, but frequent drug use can lead to brain alterations that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain alterations can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease. People in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased threat for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug. It's common for an individual to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be constant and should be adjusted based on how the patient answers. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing desires.