Why Relapse Isn’t a Sign of Failure

December 27, 2016

Category:Addiction & Recovery General / Addiction Treatment Centers / Call to Action / Disease of Addiction / Heroin Addiction / Recommendation / Relapse / Relapse Prevention

Addiction relapse can be a frightening concept for anyone, especially family and friends of a recovering addict. A recovering addict may relapse for a number of reasons. It may be due to some overwhelming stressor, grief or pain. Or an addiction relapse may occur because of some overpowering trigger that transformed into a using thought or reservation (plan to use drugs on a particular day and/or time). But does this mean you’re a failure and that recovery is simply not for you? Are you destined to be an addict forever?

Addiction Relapse is Very Common

Studies suggest that approximately 50% of all individuals in addiction treatment and/or long-term recovery return to heavy use of drugs. 70 to 90% of recovering addicts experience at least one mild to moderate “slip”. See “Relapse – Is it a Part of Recovery?” to learn the difference between a relapse and a slip. Very few people walk …

5 Tips For Staying Sober For Christmas and New Year’s Day

December 18, 2016

Category:Addiction & Recovery General / Addiction Treatment Center / Call to Action / Christmas / Drug Rehab / Family & Friends of Heroin Addicts / Heroin Addiction / Heroin Epidemic / Heroin Treatment Options / holidays / New Year's Day / New Year's Eve / Relapse Prevention

A lot of people look forward to Christmas and New Year’s Eve and Day all year around. People typically start counting down he days months beforehand and some real holiday die-hards start counting for next Christmas immediately after the calendar flips from one year to the next. But for addicts and their families, Christmas day and the entire holiday season can produce a lot of temptation and depression. This article is designed to provide some tips and strategies for staying sober and getting through the holidays without relapsing and using drugs. See also “10 Relapse Prevention Tips, Especially the First 90 Days of Recovery“.

Prayers and Good Thoughts for Grieving Mothers, Fathers, Family and Friends

Before we get into tips and strategies designed to help recovering addicts stay clean and sober for Christmas and New Year’s, I want to offer up prayers and good thoughts to mothers, fathers, family members and …

10 Relapse Prevention Tips Especially, the First 90 Days of Recovery

November 28, 2016

Category:Addiction & Recovery General / Addiction Treatment Centers / Avoiding Triggers / Disease of Addiction / Heroin Addiction / Heroin Treatment Options / Nutrition and Diet / Relapse / Relapse Prevention

Good news and bad news. First the bad news. There’s no cure for addiction. Thus, no matter how strong and tough you think you are, anyone and everyone in recovery possesses the potential for relapse. Now the good news. Addiction can be treated and for those already in recovery, there are ways you can prevent a relapse from occurring. These 10 relapse prevention tips can help anyone in recovery but are particularly important during the first 90 days of addiction treatment.

Addiction is a disease of the brain. Nobody chooses to be an addict but addiction can be prevented by a decision not to engage in risky behaviors. This includes any risky activity that touches the pleasure center of the brain. The disease of addiction always requires an object. Common addictions include substance use and abuse (heroin, opiates, benzodiazepines Cocaine, Crack, marijuana, alcohol, etc.) and activities (gambling, risky and/or unprotected sex with multiple …