Recovering from a drug addiction often involves relapse. Although relapse is not inevitable, we cannot honestly ignore the fact that it is quite common. Many users will even spend the rest of their lives in and out of rehab which leaves many people wondering, is there any point trying to get clean?
Addiction is a chronic condition that affects both the brain and the body. This is no different to diabetes which is also a chronic condition. A diabetic has to spend the rest of their lives managing their blood sugar levels through medication and their diet. They may have times where they forget to take their medicine or they might make some bad food choices whilst on holiday.
Anything that has to be managed in the long term is not easy and requires a lot of dedication. This doesn’t mean that there’s no hope however. Just like a diabetic wouldn’t stop taking their medication for the rest of their lives or continue to eat bad food after a bad few days, there’s absolutely no reason why a drug addict should give up all hope if they relapse.
When it comes to recovery, relapse rates from drug dependence are in fact comparable to relapse rates in those who suffer from other chronic conditions.
- 30 to 50% of people with type 1 diabetes fail to stick to their treatment plan
- 50 to 70% of people who suffer from asthma fail to take their medication or make the lifestyle changes that have been recommended to them
- 50 to 70% of people with chronic high blood pressure don’t take their hypertension medication as directed
- 40 to 60% of drug addicts will relapse from their treatment plan
Addiction is a treatable condition. Although we may not be able to make it go away, it can be managed successfully and it certainly doesn’t have to be a life sentence. Anyone who has given up anything whether it’s drugs, alcohol, smoking or even chocolate, will know that it was incredibly difficult at first but in time, it got much easier.
Treatment is an essential part of recovery. Without it, the chances of getting clean and staying clean are incredibly small. Treatment enables people to counteract the powerful disruptive effects that addiction has on the brain and behavior so that they can regain control of their lives once again.
Unfortunately, the nature of drug addiction means that even after receiving treatment, relapse is possible. Treating an addiction means changing deeply imbedded behaviors which as we mentioned above, is very difficult to do. It’s important to remember that a relapse does not mean that treatment has failed. It simply means that treatment needs to be reinstated or adjusted or that another treatment should be tried.
Stress, certain people, places, things, moods and of course exposure to drugs are the most common triggers for relapse. Identifying the things that make you tempted to use, is the first step to overcoming a drug addiction so you know what to avoid while you’re in recovery. Identifying and treating the underlying causes for the addiction is the other equally important part of the process.
The goal of drug abuse treatment is to return people to productive functioning in the family, workplace and community. Research has showed that most people who enter and stay in treatment stop using drugs, decrease their criminal activity and improve their occupational, social and psychological functioning.
Just like other chronic condition, drug addiction requires ongoing care, treatment and modification in order to manage it successfully.
If you would like more information about drug abuse treatment, please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to help. Whether this will be your first time in therapy or you are suffering a relapse, we can help to establish the necessary treatment required.
