Common Symptoms that can lead to Relapse
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 18,299
Common Symptoms that can lead to Relapse
In recovery it is important to be aware of the symptoms that can lead a person to relapse. These behaviors or ways of thinking have proven to have harmful effects and consequences on the maintenance of the recovery process. It is suggested that you remain mindful of these symptoms in caring for yourself.
1. Dishonesty: This begins a pattern of unnecessary little lies and deceits with fellow workers, friends, and family. The next step is you start lying to yourself. This is called rationalization- making excuses for not doing what you know you need to do, or pretending to do other things in lieu of what really needs to be done.
2. Impatience: You feel like things are not happening fast enough. Or others are not doing what you want them to do, in the way you want them to do it. Remember, using drugs or alcohol is about immediate gratification. Recovery is about being patient and honestly trusting the process.
3. Argumentative: Arguing small and ridiculous points of view indicates a need to always be right. "Why don't you be reasonable and agree with me?" Ask yourself "Do I always have to be right, and possibly alone?" Look at why you provoke arguments. Could it be you are setting up a justification in order to relapse!
4. It won't happen to me, syndrome: This is very dangerous thinking. Almost anything can happen to you if you get careless in your recovery. Remember, you have a progressive disease, and if you start using or drinking again, you start up where you left off when you quit.
5. Cockiness: So, you think you've got it made. You no longer fear your addiction. You start testing yourself, trying to prove to yourself and others that the problem is fixed, cured, or went away. Do this often enough and it will wear down your defenses. Before you know it you are using just a little on weekends, and then during the week. You know the pattern…
6. Complacency: It is very dangerous to let up on all the disciplines that have been structuring you recovery. When you get complacent and start taking your recovery for granted you are setting yourself up for the fall. It is always better to have a little fear about relapsing than no fear at all.
7. Expectations: "I have changed, why hasn't everyone else?" It is always a plus if they do although it is still your recovery even if they choose not to change. People may not accept you yet, and may still be looking for further proof that you can stay clean and sober. It is not wise to expect others to change their lifestyle and attitude just because you have decided to make a life-saving change.
Remember: Be careful with yourself. Life will be less stressful and more enjoyable.
Copied from here http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...d-relapse.html
1. Dishonesty: This begins a pattern of unnecessary little lies and deceits with fellow workers, friends, and family. The next step is you start lying to yourself. This is called rationalization- making excuses for not doing what you know you need to do, or pretending to do other things in lieu of what really needs to be done.
2. Impatience: You feel like things are not happening fast enough. Or others are not doing what you want them to do, in the way you want them to do it. Remember, using drugs or alcohol is about immediate gratification. Recovery is about being patient and honestly trusting the process.
3. Argumentative: Arguing small and ridiculous points of view indicates a need to always be right. "Why don't you be reasonable and agree with me?" Ask yourself "Do I always have to be right, and possibly alone?" Look at why you provoke arguments. Could it be you are setting up a justification in order to relapse!
4. It won't happen to me, syndrome: This is very dangerous thinking. Almost anything can happen to you if you get careless in your recovery. Remember, you have a progressive disease, and if you start using or drinking again, you start up where you left off when you quit.
5. Cockiness: So, you think you've got it made. You no longer fear your addiction. You start testing yourself, trying to prove to yourself and others that the problem is fixed, cured, or went away. Do this often enough and it will wear down your defenses. Before you know it you are using just a little on weekends, and then during the week. You know the pattern…
6. Complacency: It is very dangerous to let up on all the disciplines that have been structuring you recovery. When you get complacent and start taking your recovery for granted you are setting yourself up for the fall. It is always better to have a little fear about relapsing than no fear at all.
7. Expectations: "I have changed, why hasn't everyone else?" It is always a plus if they do although it is still your recovery even if they choose not to change. People may not accept you yet, and may still be looking for further proof that you can stay clean and sober. It is not wise to expect others to change their lifestyle and attitude just because you have decided to make a life-saving change.
Remember: Be careful with yourself. Life will be less stressful and more enjoyable.
Copied from here http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...d-relapse.html
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: NSW
Posts: 2,907
The impatience has let up for me now..in the real early days I wanted 14 years sobriety at four months ( or to sound like I had that much)...I accept where I am in my recovery these days and it's taken off the pressure I was putting on myself.
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: NSW
Posts: 2,907
I'm discovering tiredness can be a biggy. Now that my life's gotten busier and I'm feeling tired more often, I found my temper flares more easily.
I haven't quite got the 'pause when agitated' part down pat ...yet.
I haven't quite got the 'pause when agitated' part down pat ...yet.
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ladera Ranch, CA
Posts: 184
Originally Posted by stone 
7. Expectations: "I have changed, why hasn't everyone else?" It is always a plus if they do although it is still your recovery even if they choose not to change. People may not accept you yet, and may still be looking for further proof that you can stay clean and sober. It is not wise to expect others to change their lifestyle and attitude just because you have decided to make a life-saving change.
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Copied from here http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...d-relapse.html
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
Great post Stone, all very valid, tied together with Carol's it pretty much covers all the bases on the way to relapse.
Stone this one right here is what kept me drunk for so many years after I knew in my inner self that I had a problem. As stated, little lies lead to bigger lies, in my case I started to beleive my own lies, lies like "Hey I drank, but no one knows I drank so it is okay!" Oh yes I had every one fooled including myself which led to me really getting drunk and being unable to hide it from any one inculding myself!
I did the above for years, it was not until I was able to become brutally honest with myself and the world that I was able to stay sober.... and better yet happy! Being honest with the world has allowed me to look the world in the eye, feeling no guilt, feeling no need to argue about things that were really trivial to every one but me because I was no longer living a lie, no matter how trivial.
1. Dishonesty: This begins a pattern of unnecessary little lies and deceits with fellow workers, friends, and family. The next step is you start lying to yourself. This is called rationalization- making excuses for not doing what you know you need to do, or pretending to do other things in lieu of what really needs to be done.
I did the above for years, it was not until I was able to become brutally honest with myself and the world that I was able to stay sober.... and better yet happy! Being honest with the world has allowed me to look the world in the eye, feeling no guilt, feeling no need to argue about things that were really trivial to every one but me because I was no longer living a lie, no matter how trivial.
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