7 Signs A Loved One May Be Relapsing

They say that healing and recovery aren’t linear. One’s journey to complete sobriety is going to be filled with trial and error, as a person going through addiction could experience quite a few setbacks. Relapsing is quite a common occurrence in those who are trying to maintain their sobriety. If someone close to you is currently recovering from substance abuse in an addiction center in Florida, then you will want to keep an eye out for some signs a loved one may be relapsing. Spotting these signs early on can help you make a timely intervention and prevent the person you love from being completely consumed by their addiction once again.

What Does it Mean to Relapse?

We oftentimes hear the word relapse used when talking about a person battling addiction. The first thing you ought to know is that addiction is an illness. Unlike some illnesses that can be completely cured, addiction is known for coming back as a person can have problems maintaining their sobriety. It certainly takes a lot of determination and the use of healthy coping mechanisms to remain on the path to recovery. When a person relapses, they are said to have come back to their old habits, thinking patterns, and drug or alcohol use. In general, relapse can be broken down into two categories:

• A slip – this form of relapsing entails that a person is using small amounts of their substance of choice. For example, a recovering alcoholic could take one sip of an alcoholic beverage at a party, and this would be considered a slip-up. While it might not seem like such a negative and detrimental occasion, it’s actually quite a big problem for the one relapsing.
• Full relapse – once a person resorts back to using substances again, they are said to have fully relapsed. An addict can use drugs or alcohol a few times only or they can go on a full binge. Either way, they have the best chances of returning to sobriety by seeking help in a drug or alcohol rehab Boynton Beach facility.

One should seek professional help at the onset of the first symptoms of relapse. Every illness is best treated with professional help. Addiction, with all of the detrimental effects that it has on one’s life, health (both mental and physical), and relationships, requires urgent care.

What are the chances of relapsing?

When an addict leaves an alcohol or drug rehab Boynton Beach center, they are met with plenty of outside stressors. Work, family, and different relationships can all impact one’s desire for the substances of choice. And while every person has a chance of relapsing, research shows that those who have spent 30 days in a rehab facility have a 40% to 60% chance of relapsing. One month might seem like a long time to some people, but this is still the initial stage of recovery.

Of course, one’s chances of relapsing become lower the more time they spend inside a rehab facility. The later stages of rehab consist of learning healthy coping mechanisms, allowing you to remain sober even when craving the substance.

Seven Signs a Loved One May be Relapsing

It goes without saying that the last thing you want is to see the person you love struggling with addiction. The situation is even worse if they have just gotten out of a meth rehab Palm Beach facility and you have high hopes that you have fully recuperated the one you love. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, you can be sure that it’s time to act and help your friend, family member, or partner get the treatment that they need.

1. Money problems and financial irresponsibility

Some addictions come with a high price tag. While alcoholism might not entail spending hundreds of dollars for a few doses, some other addictions do. If you have someone you love who is currently being treated in a heroin rehab facility in Florida, you should monitor their attitude towards money once they come out. Financial irresponsibility is one of the key traits of addicts, as they can oftentimes have trouble financing their addiction.

If you are worried that your loved one might be relapsing, take a look at their spending habits. Do you notice them borrowing money? Have they been caught in theft? Perhaps some items from their home are missing? Noticing any of these alarming signs is a good indication that the one you love is back to their addictive tendencies.

2. Physical appearance

Sometimes, all it takes is one look to know whether your loved one is relapsing. Addicts oftentimes experience a huge change in their appearance. Once a person becomes consumed by their drug of choice, everything else becomes secondary. Thus, addicts can oftentimes neglect their personal hygiene and pay less importance to their appearance.

Let’s say that you have a friend who has spent some time in a Florida crack cocaine rehab facility. If they have always paid special attention to their outfit, hairstyle, and the way that they look, and they suddenly start neglecting themselves, you have every reason to be worried. Individuals that suffer from addiction don’t just neglect personal hygiene, but also the hygiene of their home. Thus, any negative changes in their appearance and environment are a cause for concern.

3. Behavioral changes and compulsive behavior

Think back to the days when you were having that first intervention due to a loved one’s addiction. Chances are that the intervention was prompted due to some serious changes in their behavior. Addiction is an illness that affects every aspect of a person’s being. Thus, if you are looking for signs a loved one may be relapsing, it’s important to look at more than just their physical appearance. In fact, more often than not, their behavior will tell you everything you need to know.

If your loved one is no longer interested in participating in aftercare programs and meetings and is partaking in risky behavior, you can rest assured that there is something going on. Likewise, any changes in an addict’s close personal relationships are a cause for concern. Individuals who are relapsing can oftentimes feel shame and guilt. Thus, they will not act toward the ones they love in the same manner. A significant change in interpersonal relationships is yet another sign that your loved one may be relapsing.

4. Going back to old contacts

It’s important to make a distinction between old friends and people one met during addiction. If someone you love is trying to reconnect with their childhood friends, that’s actually a good sign. However, noticing them spending time around people that got them into addiction is definitely a cause for concern. There’s a good reason why severing ties with people that are associated with drug or alcohol use is one of the first things addicts should do after leaving a rehab facility.

Be on the lookout for who your loved one spends time with. Chances for relapsing are significantly higher once an addict is around people who also use drugs or alcohol. After all, saying no to temptation is difficult enough when the thing that’s tempting you is not in your vicinity.

5. Sudden and frequent mood changes

Stress is one of the main reasons why many individuals relapse. Unfortunately, the stress of everyday life is all around us. One of the things that a stressful lifestyle and a relapse have in common is the tendency for moodiness. However, you need to differentiate between a person who is under so much stress that they aren’t in a good mood and a person that has relapsed and is now experiencing frequent mood changes.

Once an individual relapses, they are unable to deal with the negative stimulus. They tend to avoid all these new emotions, making them moody and prone to frequent mood changes. If someone you love goes from happy to sad to frustrated in a matter of minutes, and this tends to happen on a daily basis, you can be certain there is something going wrong. It’s one of the signs a loved one may be relapsing and in need of help.

6. Isolation

After leaving a Florida prescription drug rehab, it’s normal for an individual to feel sensitive. They might even avoid social interaction for a few days or weeks until they acclimate to the new normal. However, these feelings will subside with time. Hence, a person will start to socialize more and be around their friends. But should you notice a sudden shift in their social tendencies, you should start feeling some concern.

People who experience relapse are prone to isolation and avoidance of social gatherings. If you notice that your loved one is always avoiding social events and coming up with reasons why they can’t attend, know that something is up. They might be trying to cut off people who support their sobriety. This is especially concerning if they start meeting with the ones who support their addiction. The mixture of the two is a clear indicator that your loved one is relapsing – or is about to do so.

7. Denial and defensiveness

Finally, the seventh sign that your loved one could be relapsing is related to their reaction to your concern. If you notice any of the signs that you were able to find in this article, you will probably confront the one you love. Their reaction to your concern will tell you everything you need to know. If they are defensive and ready to argue with you, chances are they are currently relapsing. Likewise, they might be in denial and try to convince you that they are fine. You should bear in mind that addicts oftentimes don’t have their own best interests in mind. It might be true that they believe what they say when they claim they have no problems. But to determine whether that’s true, you should look at their actions – not their words.

What To Do if Your Loved One Relapses?

If you notice that your loved one is back in the shackles of addiction, it would be good to convince them to get the necessary treatment right away. They will once again have to begin by attending the Medically Assisted Treatment, where they will be treated with Food and Drug Administration approved drugs. After they go through detox, they will have to go through all the levels of care before reaching sobriety.

Finally, this isn’t the end of the road for an addict. Relapse is a common occurrence among addicts, and one can come back from it. Of course, it’s always better to work on preventing relapse than remedying the situation once it happens. But when it comes to these matters, timely treatment is of utmost importance.

Try To Notice Signs

Noticing just one of these signs that a loved one may be relapsing is enough to raise doubt and concern. However, if you notice a combination of these signs, there’s usually no doubt that your loved one has run into a problem. Take your time to sit with them and talk about the problem for as long as it takes. Always remember that, when it comes to addiction, patience is a virtue. If you need professional help, you can always contact us at Bright Futures Treatment Center. We will be happy to help your loved ones find their way to sobriety.