| The drug or alcohol relapse process has certain signs | | | | things go well people tend to slack off and put |
| and symptoms that must be addressed before actual | | | | minimal effort into recovery. Thoughts like "I wasn't |
| use of drugs and alcohol reoccurs. Relapse prevention | | | | that bad" and "It wasn't alcohol and drugs that was |
| is all about interrupting the process prior to use. | | | | my problem...it was ________" Those are sure fire |
| There are certain signs and symptoms that may | | | | signs of the relapse process in full swing. |
| indicate that a person may be in 'relapse mode' Some | | | | 4. Self-Pity - Climbing on the pity pot usually involves |
| or many of the following may occur and are | | | | either becoming a victim, "How come everybody can |
| definitely worth paying attention to. | | | | drink except me?". Or, You can adopt a blaming |
| 1. H.A.L.T - H is for hungry, A for angry, L for lonely | | | | stance..." If you had my husband/wife you would |
| and T for tired. Often when people feel snappish or | | | | drink too. If you are a victim or a blamer it is always |
| cranky a quick review of those for symptoms may | | | | someone else's fault, and you are not responsible. If |
| pinpoint a cause. The danger of not paying attention | | | | it is not your fault you don't have to take action |
| here is that minor incidents can get blown way out | | | | because it would make no difference. |
| of proportion if any or all of those four states are | | | | 5. Frustration - Two very common traits of people in |
| not dealt with. | | | | addiction and addiction recovery are poor impulse |
| 2. Dishonesty - This can cause concern in one of two | | | | control, 'I want what I want, when I want it', and the |
| ways, the first is that if you have never gotten | | | | need for immediate gratification. This can be childlike |
| completely honest about your addiction and recovery | | | | in throwing a hissy when things don't go your way. |
| in the first place. The second and more likely scenario | | | | That can easily escalate to 'I'll show them' and its off |
| is that 'little white lies' of convenience have started | | | | to the bar or drug dealer. |
| to creep into your life. This can then progress into | | | | Identifying drug and alcohol addiction relapse warning |
| deceiving yourself about important things. | | | | signs is not a black and white issue, there are many |
| 3. Complacency - Complacency is a really sneaky one | | | | potential signs of danger, and they are different for |
| because when it occurs, things are going well. When | | | | everybody. |