subject: Figure Out How Relapse Happens [print this page] Drug addiction patients after successful treatment can abstain from the use of the drugs for quite some time but may have the tendency to take or use the drugs again. This is called a relapse. This is common among alcohol and drug addiction patients. There are several factors that contribute to relapse and they vary in degree. Some patients can overcome relapse faster compared to others depending on the support and determination they have.
Relapse due to withdrawal symptoms
For long time addicts, quitting is really hard and painful. The drugs have taken great control of the person's will and abstaining from it can result to severe negative physical effects. Mild drug abusers who usually self medicate by abstaining from drugs or alcohol often find themselves back to their old habits after a short period of time. The pain and discomfort associated with withdrawal are factors that push a drug addict back to his old habits.
Family history
Drug addiction patients who belong to a family with a history of drug addiction have higher tendencies for relapse since their environment doesn't support an alcohol or drug free lifestyle. Relatives, parents and other members of the family may not be sensitive to a patient's struggle to abstain from addiction and may cause the halt to change. Some drug treatment centers include family members in the whole treatment process so that they can reach out and help their loved one who wants to change his life and make it better.
Lack of follow-up
Some patients after a period of abstinence may feel confident about their changed lifestyle and they do not worry about drug abuse anymore but at some point, temptations of social events for alcohol drinking or the presence of drugs trigger cravings. Those who undergo drug rehabilitation requirement for example go through it under a certain period of time. After which, as the individual has lived a drug-free life, there is already leniency and lesser follow-up from counselors. When this happens and patients move out to another area, tendency for relapse can occur. Some individuals go back to little drinking or drug intake again. Counselors from drug treatment centers should be mindful of their patients' transfer of address so that referrals can be made to some other facilities for follow up.
Relapse is always considered in the treatment plan of drug addiction. Some patients are given medication as part of detoxification in order to reduce withdrawal effects and further cases of relapse. As one patient is different from another, looking for professional help must be done to prevent relapse.
