Behind relapses info
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: C.C. Ma.
Posts: 3,697
Behind relapses info
Posted around 11/30/11
[QUOTE=doggonecarl]I consider a relapse to be any deviation from sobriety. Some folks differentiate between a slip--which might be just a single drink--and a relapse--full blown return to drinking. It's a matter of degree. I prefer to view them the same way. And in my opinion they aren't okay. Considering a relapse a part of recovery is license to drink again. Relapses are part of addiction, not recovery.
And there is also a danger to relapsing. I posted the following in a thread yesterday and think it bears repeating because there seems to be a degree of careless disregard to relapse by some. Here is what I posted:
-----------------------------
You should know that the more you relapse the worse the withdrawals can become. It is called the kindling effect. This from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:
"In many alcoholics, the severity of withdrawal symptoms increases after repeated withdrawal episodes. This exacerbation may be attributable to a kindling process. Kindling is a phenomenon in which a weak electrical or chemical stimulus, which initially causes no overt behavioral responses, results in the appearance of behavioral effects, such as seizures, when it is administered repeatedly. Both clinical and experimental evidence support the existence of a kindling mechanism during alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, result from neurochemical imbalances in the brain of alcoholics who suddenly reduce or cease alcohol consumption. These imbalances may be exacerbated after repeated withdrawal experiences. The existence of kindling during withdrawal suggests that even patients experiencing mild withdrawal should be treated aggressively to prevent the increase in severity of subsequent withdrawal episodes. Kindling also may contribute to a patient’s relapse risk and to alcohol-related brain damage and cognitive impairment."
Lot of science jargon, but it summarizes the danger. Relapses are NOT part of recovery. They are part of the addiction. They occur, but I hope you and anyone reading who is struggling with relapse will consider the risks and ramp up your recovery accordingly.
[QUOTE=doggonecarl]I consider a relapse to be any deviation from sobriety. Some folks differentiate between a slip--which might be just a single drink--and a relapse--full blown return to drinking. It's a matter of degree. I prefer to view them the same way. And in my opinion they aren't okay. Considering a relapse a part of recovery is license to drink again. Relapses are part of addiction, not recovery.
And there is also a danger to relapsing. I posted the following in a thread yesterday and think it bears repeating because there seems to be a degree of careless disregard to relapse by some. Here is what I posted:
-----------------------------
You should know that the more you relapse the worse the withdrawals can become. It is called the kindling effect. This from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:
"In many alcoholics, the severity of withdrawal symptoms increases after repeated withdrawal episodes. This exacerbation may be attributable to a kindling process. Kindling is a phenomenon in which a weak electrical or chemical stimulus, which initially causes no overt behavioral responses, results in the appearance of behavioral effects, such as seizures, when it is administered repeatedly. Both clinical and experimental evidence support the existence of a kindling mechanism during alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, result from neurochemical imbalances in the brain of alcoholics who suddenly reduce or cease alcohol consumption. These imbalances may be exacerbated after repeated withdrawal experiences. The existence of kindling during withdrawal suggests that even patients experiencing mild withdrawal should be treated aggressively to prevent the increase in severity of subsequent withdrawal episodes. Kindling also may contribute to a patient’s relapse risk and to alcohol-related brain damage and cognitive impairment."
Lot of science jargon, but it summarizes the danger. Relapses are NOT part of recovery. They are part of the addiction. They occur, but I hope you and anyone reading who is struggling with relapse will consider the risks and ramp up your recovery accordingly.
Trudgin
Join Date: Jul 2014
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http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...lly-again.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...lly-again.html
Better when never is never
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin near Twin Cities
Posts: 1,745
I like to keep it simple: there is drinking or there is sobriety. I always do a double blink when someone decides to quit and 6 days later they've had their third relapse.
Trudgin
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
Originally Posted by jazzfish 
I like to keep it simple: there is drinking or there is sobriety. I always do a double blink when someone decides to quit and 6 days later they've had their third relapse.
They are moderating their sobriety
Life is an unlikely miracle.
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: England
Posts: 1,859
For me, it's a relief to not be able to drink.
It's clear cut and simple.
But for many years I quit, relapsed, quit, relapsed.
I hope to never forget how I struggled with that when helping someone who keeps relapsing.
It's clear cut and simple.
But for many years I quit, relapsed, quit, relapsed.
I hope to never forget how I struggled with that when helping someone who keeps relapsing.
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,580
I don't think any deviation from sobriety is "okay". Carl considers any deviation from sobriety to be a relapse. I do not.
I experience an "event" which I deem a "lapse"..which is defined as a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment.
A relapse is to fall back into former practice or fall back into illness after apparent recovery.
For me, the distinction is necessary...and that is for ME, because this is MY recovery.
I certainly understand the danger and severity of bringing booze to one's lips for any reason and any time...hence the need for fire and brimstone pulpit pounding definitions and heated discussions bout ...relapse or slips or what have you...
Just bear in mind, we need to get people BACK too..and we need to keep them there. I do not support anything that relegates folks to the eternally damned.
I experience an "event" which I deem a "lapse"..which is defined as a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment.
A relapse is to fall back into former practice or fall back into illness after apparent recovery.
For me, the distinction is necessary...and that is for ME, because this is MY recovery.
I certainly understand the danger and severity of bringing booze to one's lips for any reason and any time...hence the need for fire and brimstone pulpit pounding definitions and heated discussions bout ...relapse or slips or what have you...
Just bear in mind, we need to get people BACK too..and we need to keep them there. I do not support anything that relegates folks to the eternally damned.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 107
That explains a lot, I was thinking it had something to do with the amount of alcohol consumed during a binge/relapse and was confused why my latest withdrawal was so terrible. I had consumed that amount before and not had nearly as bad of a detox.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,368
maybe its a perspective thing.
The more time I'm sober the more I realise how deadly serious my situation was.
The more I'm grateful to be alive, the less I'm inclined to give semantic wriggle room to drinking again.
Relapses are bad (mmok) cos they represent the undead addiction rearing its ugly head and waving its tentacles about like a 1940s movie monster.
It's not a good thing.
But...the movie never ends there
The monster is always defeated.
I think we owe the newcomer to share that side of the main feature too...
I think maybe sometimes we forget to do that?
D
The more time I'm sober the more I realise how deadly serious my situation was.
The more I'm grateful to be alive, the less I'm inclined to give semantic wriggle room to drinking again.
Relapses are bad (mmok) cos they represent the undead addiction rearing its ugly head and waving its tentacles about like a 1940s movie monster.
It's not a good thing.
But...the movie never ends there
The monster is always defeated.
I think we owe the newcomer to share that side of the main feature too...
I think maybe sometimes we forget to do that?
D
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Strailya
Posts: 8,009
From my viewpoint, relapses are a serious matter in that it means the addictive behaviour has not been successfully quelled yet. However, if the individual is: persistent in becoming sober; willing to re-examine their recovery plan; and ramp up or add-on additional elements and support to achieve sobriety, then I would have nothing but support and compassion for that individual. However, if the relapse is seen merely as a minor blip without reflection or review, then its time for some tough love !
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BALTIMORE
Posts: 46
Take it from a guy who just finished up a five day bender 24 hours ago- the withdrawals associated with relapse are no joke. I'm tired of feeling beat down for two days while I'm coming off a drunk. And the same associated acts that go along with drinking that has everybody wondering whether or not I'm sober. It's why this time I joined this website, and reached out to a childhood friend with whom I reconnected through AA. Reaching out for help is a huge step for me, as it is for many alcoholics. But now I'm accountable to him and it's what I need. I know I'm capable of sobriety because I've had some time previously.
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