What is a drug relapse? Basically, it is falling back into a former worse state or a recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement. A drug relapse begins log before the individual uses their first drug or takes their first drink after quitting. It is going back to old behavior patterns.

The most common dangers are:

Being in the presence of former associates who are drug users or alcohol abusers, or visiting places where drugs or alcohol is available

• Feeling angry, sad, lonely, anxious, afraid, or guilty
• Wanting to celebrate
• Boredom
• Pain, physical or emotional
• Listening to others tell stories about current addictions
• Dwelling on getting high
• Feeling cheated because you aren't taking drugs or abusing alcohol any longer
• Using prescription drugs to get you high, even if they are being used as prescribed
• Complacency or believing that because you licked the problem, you no longer have to worry

When an individual decides to stop using drugs or alcohol, they have take the first step toward recovery. This is the beginning of a new way of life for that person. It is an important change in lifestyle and in their life.

People may expect because they have made such an important change in their life that all their problems will go away. However, their problems remain with them throughout the recovery process. Recovery is the process of building a new life. Like any major lifestyle change, it takes time to adjust and it normally involves mixed feelings. One moment the recovering patient may feel elated about their decision and then next, they may feel very sad to be leaving former friends and associates behind. These feelings of confusion can make the person wonder if their commitment was right for them, even though, they know in their heart that it was.

This is the point when the individual is most susceptible to a relapse. Drug relapse prevention planning can help. Thinking ahead and planning what to do if a relapse begins will help to ease the pressures that may lead back to old habits. Drug relapse planning is actually planning for success.

To avoid drug relapse:

• Handle day to day feelings and problems as they happen instead of letting things pile up and get out of hand and out of control
• Keep your life in balance by finding ways to relax
• Be kind to yourself if you start thinking about your former way of life. This is not a time to begin feeling guilty about things in the past or things you think about doing
• Surround yourself with a support group who know your goals and will be supportive if you start to slip a little bit
• Plan for high-risk situations. If you find yourself in a high-risk situation, have a plan ready to put into action to help you avoid falling into old habits

No one has complete control of their life or can handle everything exactly the way they would like to. There is a possibility that the user my take drugs again or the alcoholic may start drinking again.

If there is a slip, it is better to think of it as a learning experience rather than to fall back into addiction by continuing to use drugs or alcohol. View the set-back as an opportunity to finally, succeed.

Once an individual enters a treatment program, their chances for a complete recovery is very high. The Farley Center and Williamsburg Place provides affordable, individualized care in a relaxing residential atmosphere. Respected nationally by the healthcare community, twenty five percent of patients are referred by noted physicians. Unlike most centers, The Farley Center and Williamsburg Places offers full time, on-site physicians whose patient roster is small, allowing for effective, one-on-one care and commitment to healing body and spirit. For more than 15 years they have assisted thousands of good people who simply wish to get well.