Many people claim relapse is a normal part of the addiction recovery process. While relapses are to be expected, some people may not experience them as severely — or at all. It's difficult to say exactly why this is. Why do some people experience frequent relapses? Is it something they are doing wrong in their recovery process? Why do others go year after year without experiencing a relapse? Asking all these questions is valid, but we must remember that every recovery journey is different.
For those who relapse frequently, it is not enough to simply be aware of its potential harm. We must plan — as best we can — to combat the risks of relapse. Additionally, we must focus on remembering that relapse does not equal failure. How we come back from this experience says much more about us than the fact that it occurred.
Before discussing why some people relapse more than others, it is prudent to preface by saying that relapses do not make anyone a failure. If treatment teaches us anything, it is that addiction is a beast. It messes with our heads, makes us question ourselves while sober, and can cause symptoms of other mental health conditions. However it makes us feel, our experiences with addiction are unique to each of us.
That being said, some people's experiences may be more or less similar. This can be a great thing because we can bond over shared struggles. However, those who experience more relapses than a peer or struggle more significantly to cope with triggers and cravings don't have a less valuable recovery. Several factors can put us at an increased risk of relapse. These may include feelings of loneliness, trauma, or co-occurring disorders.
We are not failures for experiencing a relapse — some of us simply have more contributing factors increasing our chances of relapse.
Like any mental health condition, addiction makes us question ourselves. Additionally, it is notoriously isolating. This isolation can make it difficult to feel connected to others. Research indicates that individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) are more prone to experiencing emotional and social loneliness
There are many reasons why that may be. A primary reason is that we often lack people who understand what we are going through. Until someone has some experience with addiction, it can be nearly impossible to understand what it is like.
Having a sponsor, accountability partner, or other peers in our support network can help reduce feelings of loneliness. This will ultimately reduce the risk of relapse. However, as mentioned, other factors may cause some of us to relapse more than others. One of those potential factors is past traumas we are still trying to cope with.
The American Psychological Association (APA) describes trauma as an "emotional response to a terrible event." Such "terrible events" may include a natural disaster, accident, assault, or domestic abuse. Trauma can affect us in many ways. For some, it leads to panic or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be a leading cause in the development of SUD and profoundly impacts recovery.
An essential part of treatment is getting to the root cause of addiction, which is often some form of trauma. Individuals may turn to drugs, alcohol, and other harmful self-medication techniques to cope with the fallout of their trauma. However, even after treatment, we may still face traumatic triggers. This can put our recovery at risk, leading to repeated relapses.
Getting help coping with trauma post-treatment can be vital for sustained recovery. We can do this through:
Another reason we may experience relapses more often than our peers is if we are struggling with co-occurring disorders. While co-occurring disorders are common, not everyone experiences them. In any case, those of us who experience one or more co-occurring conditions will likely be at a greater risk of relapsing.
We can reduce our relapse risk and manage co-occurring disorders post-treatment through several methods, some similar to coping with trauma. These methods include:
Do not think something is wrong with you because you experience relapse more often than others. Your experience is all your own. Focus on your accomplishments, not your setbacks.
There is always room for improvement. Discuss your concerns with a professional if you are relapsing more frequently than most. Together, you can uncover what may be causing these lapses and strengthen your recovery plan accordingly.
So many people mention how relapse is a natural part of the recovery journey. However, some people do not experience relapse. You, and many others in recovery, may wonder why that is. Simply put, there is no one answer. Some people are at a greater risk for relapse because they have more factors working against them. These may include loneliness, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. You are not a failure if you experience relapse more frequently than others. You just have more learning and growing opportunities. Besides, you can not compare your recovery journey to others because this experience is all your own. To learn more about relapse prevention, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
