Some people may avoid quitting drinking or substance abuse because they believe they will certainly relapse at some stage in the future. However, this isn’t true, and not all people in Pinellas County who recover from addiction go on to experience relapse and further substance abuse.
There are various common reasons why some people relapse after making some great progress in their recovery. We will look at some of the main reasons why people tend to experience relapse even when they might seem on a straight road to full recovery.
Memories Fade Over Time
The memories of how things used to be can become faded over time or appear ‘rosier’ than they really were. This can lead people to eventually get to a point where they believe there will be no problems with having a few drinks or spending time all night at a party surrounded by tempting substances. It’s important to maintain a realistic view of how things were before recovery in order to maintain the motivation to continue into full recovery.
People Want a Reward
One of the reasons why addiction can develop in the first place is because the brain desires rewards. Certain hormones, like dopamine, are released when people are enjoying a pleasurable experience, and an underlying craving for this can lead to addiction and other long-term problems with substance abuse. Relapse can be caused by the urge to want a reward, either for dealing with difficult situations, getting through a rehab program, or feeling under stress.
The Fear of Missing Out
The fear of missing out, also commonly known as ‘FOMO’, is a strong force behind many decisions for a lot of people. Some people may feel worried about missing a party that all their friends will be attending, or not going to a big festival coming to the city. It can also arise in situations where there are drinks, substances, or new experiences to try. Whatever the situation and reasons for not wanting to miss out, this can lead to relapse for some people, so it’s important to be aware of this when going through a recovery program.
They Give Up
In some cases, relapse occurs because the person trying to overcome their addiction feels unable to continue. It may feel too difficult to continue without drink or substances, or a person might feel like they are missing out on too many experiences with their friends or other people. Being ready to overcome addiction requires a certain level of psychological preparedness and motivation in order to see it through and stay motivated for the longer term.
Relapse Feels Inevitable
Sometimes it might feel like a relapse is inevitable. This is another common reason why people give up or feel like it isn’t worth continuing with their recovery. Some people may worry so much about relapse being inevitable that it leads them to relapse. This can lead to a dangerous cycle for some people who are trying to overcome an addiction. Relapse is not inevitable, and there are many different things that can lead to – or help to avoid – relapse.
They Aren’t Always Ready to Try New Approaches
Not all approaches and programs will help everyone, so it’s important that each individual person takes the time to find out what might work best for them. If people give up on the first or second thing they try, they will deny themselves the chance to find something that might truly help them in overcoming an addiction.
Getting Help to Avoid Relapse
Finding support during a recovery journey can be essential to help a person stay on track. You can find mental health support from qualified professionals at Advantage Mental Health Center in Pinellas County.
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