Relapse Warning Signs and Causes to Look Out For

Legacy Healing Center Blog

Much like a marathon, addiction recovery entails slow and steady progress with no quick solutions. Breaking free of a drug or alcohol dependence takes time, dedication, and effort. No matter how competent, no behavioral health center can break the addiction cycle without the determination of its participants. Even after initial success, relapse warning signs in the form of triggers and cravings can occur and it’s important to recognize them as early as possible.

The danger of relapse remains ever-present, so it’s essential for those who have overcome a drug or alcohol addiction to know how to recognize the early warning signs of relapse. It is also critical for spouses, parents, other family members, and friends to know these signs, as recognition allows for immediate action, which could mean the difference between relapse and continued sobriety.

To honor National Recovery Month in September, we’d like to highlight some early warning signs of relapse as well as common causes. Recognizing these signs and taking action early on can help to prevent relapse and keep you or your loved one on track in recovery.

What Causes Relapse?

Individuals who relapse often face risk factors in the days, weeks, or months leading up to the actual act of drinking or using drugs again. These relapse triggers or causes usually come in the form of negative feelings or experiences that challenge their ability to cope without their substance of choice. The greater the number of risk factors the individual comes across, the higher the risk of relapse.

Some of the most common causes of relapse include:

Exposure to triggers: Triggers may include both social and environmental cues that remind you of drugs or alcohol.
- Social cues: seeing a drug dealer or a friend who uses drugs
- Environmental cues: coming in contact with objects, smells, or places that you associate with drugs or alcohol.
- These can all produce intense cravings that can lead to relapse.
Stress: High levels of stress paired with poor coping skills can lead an individual in addiction recovery to turn to drugs and alcohol for relief. Negative emotions like anger, anxiety, depression, and even boredom can increase the risk of relapse. For this reason, our Cincinnati addiction treatment center offers therapy to help individuals develop strong coping skills, reducing their risk of relapse.
Interpersonal issues: Problems with friends and family can lead to negative feelings, such as anger, sadness, and frustration. If these feelings aren’t addressed properly, they can contribute to relapse.
Peer Pressure: Family or friends who use drugs and alcohol may influence you to do the same. Simply being around others who are using can trigger strong cravings and increase your risk of relapse. Having family members or friends who use drugs is a significant predictor of relapse.
Lack of Social Support: A limited or negative support system can make it challenging to cope effectively without using drugs or alcohol. Our drug rehab in Cincinnati encourages the development of a strong support system for clients through our family program.
Pain Management: Injuries, accidents, or medical issues can lead to pain, often treated with prescription narcotics. While these medications can be helpful when used under medical supervision, people with a history of addiction may struggle to control their use, especially with opioids, which carry a high addiction potential.
Low Self-Efficacy: Self-efficacy, or confidence in your ability to stay sober, is crucial for relapse prevention. Studies have shown that people with low self-efficacy are more likely to relapse, while those with a sense of mastery over their sobriety are better equipped to cope effectively.1
Positive Moods: Surprisingly, positive emotions can also be risk factors for relapse. When feeling happy, you may seek to enhance those feelings through drug or alcohol use. Celebrations and social events can also trigger relapse due to their association with alcohol.

If you’re in addiction recovery and want further support to help you stay on the right path, our addiction treatment center in Ohio offers a wide range of addiction therapy programs, including relapse prevention support, to ensure clients are set up for a successful recovery. No matter what bumps present themselves along the way, we’re here to help. Call our confidential line at 888-680-9276 for more information.

Common Signs of Relapse in Addiction Recovery

Relapse is a common challenge in addiction recovery. Recognizing early relapse warning signs can be crucial in preventing a return to harmful behaviors. Let’s explore some of the most common signs of relapse.

Poor Hygiene or a Lack of Self Care

If someone who has previously taken pride in their appearance starts dressing sloppily or skipping their daily hygiene routine, this may be a sign of relapse. People who have reentered active addiction may lose interest in the self-care routines they previously practiced, and as their habit worsens, their appearance and hygiene may follow suit.

Asking to Borrow Money

Drug addiction can be expensive, and most addicts need a steady stream of income to support their daily habits. Loved ones should ask questions if a previously self-sufficient family member in recovery begins asking to borrow large sums of money.

Theft

Asking to borrow money indicates an early warning sign of relapse, but so does stealing from family members, employers, and others. If someone you care about starts stealing money or other goods, you should seek help for them right away.

Denial or Defensiveness

People struggling with active addiction will rarely admit their issues with substance abuse. When asked directly if they are using again, they will likely deny they have a problem and they may become defensive or even angry. This kind of reaction should always cause concern, and it is a classic early warning sign of relapse.

Compulsive Behaviors

Those suffering from relapse may engage in compulsive behaviors, from repetitive hand washing to checking and double-checking that the oven is off and the door remains locked. A return to previous drug use could trigger this kind of compulsive behavior, and this sign of relapse should never be ignored.

Reconnecting With Toxic People

Triggers can come from anywhere and are not always physical. Bars and nightclubs can act as triggers, but so can the people who inhabit them. If an individual in addiction recovery begins hanging around with the old crowd again, it is time for family members to get involved. Early intervention at the first signs of relapse remains the best solution; the sooner you act, the better.

Skipping Meetings or Leaving Support Groups

The help and support of peers can be vital to staying clean and sober in the wake of drug addiction. Support groups and regular meetings hold people accountable for their actions and give individuals the guidance they need to avoid triggers and prevent a dangerous relapse.

Leaving those support groups behind or skipping previously attended meetings indicates a major red flag for relapse. Friends and family members always need to keep tabs on their loved ones who are vulnerable to relapse and act accordingly.

Overcoming the Struggles of Addiction with Legacy Healing Center

From opioid addictions caused by powerful pain medications to the abuse of heroin, cocaine, and other street drugs, substance use disorder has become a massive issue in modern society. Timely intervention can make all the difference when you or someone you love suffers from this dangerous disease, but overcoming addiction is not a one-time event.

If you want to maintain your drug-free status for a lifetime, you need to recognize the early signs and symptoms of relapse. If someone you care about is struggling with addiction, knowing these signs could save their life. So take the time to educate yourself, learn the relapse warning signs, and be ready to take action if you are concerned.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, know that there is hope. At Legacy Healing Center, we offer personalized addiction treatment in Cincinnati and other cities across the nation. Reach out to us today to take the first step on your journey to a healthier, happier life.