The process of relapse in alcoholism

Alcoholism is one of the most frequent addictions in society and has a high percentage of relapses. Therefore, a large part of the treatment is aimed at preventing them. However, according to a study carried out by the Alcoholology Unit of the Hospital Clínico de Barcelona, ​​40% of patients still do not drink 10 years after starting treatment.

Although relapse into alcoholism is a not entirely uncommon reality, An effort must be made to understand that it is a relatively normal process and, above all, that it can be overcome.

There are many factors that can cause a relapse. In fact, a person who suffers from alcoholism usually relapses more than once until the habit is permanently abandoned. Generally, achieving long-term sobriety requires a high price of personal effort and mistakes and overcoming them.

Some realities linked to alcoholism and its relapse are the following:

Return to unhealthy behavioral habits that characterized the previous period of addiction. The negative consequences of these habits do not usually take long to become evident. Decrease and abandonment of activities linked to cessation or rehabilitation.An isolated episode of alcohol consumption should not, by itself, be considered a relapse; In clinical terms, it is usually considered something similar to carelessness.It is possible to be careless and not relapsebut you can also relapse without having had prior carelessness.

Relapse into alcoholism and its emotional components

From clinical psychology it is accepted that relapses, in global terms, are in close relationship with the experience of negative emotions and interpersonal conflicts. However, there are times when relapsing into alcohol abuse can come hand in hand with positive emotions, such as feeling good about yourself or experiencing a certain festive spirit.

Sometimes, Exposure to situations or contexts in which alcohol was abused in the past can be a powerful trigger of addiction. Therefore, it is essential to identify what those triggers are, those signals, that indicate danger, and then implement the appropriate strategies to deal with them.

The relapse process and its warning signs

Relapse can occur at any time during the addiction recovery process. alcoholic. In fact, among the general population, the people most at risk of relapse into alcoholism are those who are immersed in a process of cessation.

In general, it can be stated that The situations of greatest susceptibility, in this regard, are the following:

Being in the initial phases of a rehabilitation process after an addiction.Finding yourself in the moments immediately after a traumatic event.Being going through episodes of life transition.

It is worth mentioning that family members, friends or partners of the person addicted to alcohol usually appreciate the benefits of quitting this habit. The point is that even though measures are being taken to lead a healthier life, the risk of relapse is usually present.

However, If relapse into alcoholism occurs, the decline tends to become quickly obvious and, in addition, there are usually a series of alarm signs that both family, friends and health professionals should be alert to. They are the following:

Reduction of attitudinal optimism.Greater general unhappiness.Tendency to make excuses for your problems.Abandonment of self-care.Talk frequently about how much you miss alcohol.Conduct tending toward secrecy.Unhealthy eating habits.Tendency toward social isolation.Connect with people who suffer from that habit.Show signs of anxiety and/or depression.Do not attend appointments or scheduled therapeutic sessions.

Stages of relapse into alcoholism

Next, we explain three consecutive stages that can lead to a relapse. The first two usually involve less risk, since they only imply a certain departure from the trend towards recovery; The third and last would almost always mean a complete relapse.

emotional relapse

It is characterized, on a psychological level, by a certain suppression of emotions and the tendency toward interpersonal isolation. It is also typical for the person to blame others for their difficulties in completing a rehabilitation process.

mental relapse

This stage is associated with experience feelings of withdrawal and a strong need to resume the habit.

The person tends to think almost obsessively about the triggers for alcohol consumption, and even to lying and consciously planning for relapse.

Physical relapse

It involves suffering more than one oversight and fall, again, into the obsession with consuming alcohol and in the compulsive desire to abuse it.

What could cause a relapse into alcoholism?

It is widely assumed in the scientific field that There are genetic traits, and therefore heritable traits, that can predispose a person to develop addictions. In these cases, each abusive consumption can give rise to specific brain adaptations that make the brain demand continued consumption.

Generally speaking, relapses usually occur by a place, person or object that reminds the person of alcohol and the use he made of it. When the brain processes that memory, it tends to end up developing a craving for alcohol. Some common triggers include:

Stress.The smell of alcohol.Financial problems.Interact with people who drinkBeing in the presence of alcoholic beverages.Losses of loved ones.Being in places where alcohol is served.Experiencing physical or psychological abuse.

Our recommendation is that, in the event of signs of relapse or potential relapse into alcoholism, go to the corresponding help services as soon as possible and specifically to those who have been helpful during the detoxification process. Likewise, if it is a family member or close person who shows these signs, it is important to remain alert and advise them to go to a specialized professional or competent service.

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