The reality of recovery is that not everyone gets it the first time. This is not a slight on them. It is just the reality of the disease. Addiction is a chronic relapsing disease. The good news is that there are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one recover in the long term. Yes, a relapse may happen, but it does not mean it needs to be the end of recovery. It may just be what is needed to achieve long-term success once and for all.
The Disease of Addiction
Addiction is called a “cunning, baffling, and powerful” disease for a reason. This is because it is the only disease that can tell a person that they don’t have a disease. Also, it is important to note that addiction is a “disease.” Many people still struggle with that concept.
People often stigmatize addiction as some type of moral failing or “choice.” This is certainly not the case. Addiction is like other chronic diseases, it is far from a choice, rather it is a multitude of factors that add up to keep an individual “sick and suffering.” Yes, addiction is considered a chronic disease because, without some type of professional help, it will almost always get worse, rarely better. This is also a big reason why it is considered a chronic relapsing disorder, because without the right help, a relapse often occurs. Addiction and relapse also have serious negative effects on the family.
A Family Disease
Now, it may be easier to wrap your head around the idea of addiction as a disease than it is to understand the concept of a “family disease.” However, when we begin to realize how negatively affected the family actually becomes from a member’s addiction, it becomes much easier. In a sense, the whole family is sick and suffering, not just the individual.
It is virtually impossible for the family to avoid being scathed by a member’s addiction. This is because the proximity makes it impossible to avoid interaction (and negative interactions). According to the peer-reviewed journal Social Work in Public Health, “The family remains the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization for humans in our current society. Therefore, the impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on the family and individual family members merits attention. Each family and each family member is uniquely affected by the individual using substances, including but not limited to having unmet developmental needs, impaired attachment, economic hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence being perpetrated against him or her.”
There is a “silver lining,” however. Yes, the family may be the most affected, but they also often have the greatest opportunity to get their loved one the help that they need. Again, a big part of this is due to proximity. This includes getting a loved one help the first time, or if they struggle with chronic relapsing. However, to do so, the family must be able to spot the signs and symptoms of addiction.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of addiction (and addiction relapses) are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few:
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Not being able to stop once starting to drink or use
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
Often, people minimize addiction and/or mental illness or even falsely categorize it as that previously mentioned “choice.” However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner rather than later is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. It is also important to find the right recovery center that understands the basics of relapses.
Better Understanding Relapses
So, what exactly is a relapse? First, it is important to understand that a relapse doesn’t just suddenly happen. Many people think that a relapse is just when an individual picks up that drink or drug. This isn’t the case. It often happens long before taking that drink or drug.
According to The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, “The key to relapse prevention is to understand that relapse happens gradually. It begins weeks and sometimes months before an individual picks up a drink or drug. The goal of treatment is to help individuals recognize the early warning signs of relapse and to develop coping skills to prevent relapse early in the process, when the chances of success are greatest.” Also, many people don’t realize just how common relapses can be.
According to the peer-reviewed journal Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.” Many of these people also have this experience more than once. These people are considered chronic relapsers.
What About Chronic Relapsing?
Chronic relapsing refers to people who relapse regularly. This does not necessarily mean an individual who has relapsed more than once, but rather someone who begins the recovery process over and over again. Again, this is not their fault, it is just the nature of the disease. For those with addiction, the primary purpose is finding that next drink or drug.
There are also many factors that can lead to chronic relapsing. One is physical. The body becomes physically addicted, and thus, when the alcohol or drug disappears, the cravings can quickly cause one to relapse. There are also very deep emotions that are tied to alcohol or substance use. When the substances go away, deep emotions can rush up to the surface and make an individual feel so uncomfortable that they will insist on numbing with alcohol and substances.
Then there is relapse thinking. This is the type of thinking that is constantly focused on the drink or the drug. It can feel almost impossible to get anything else done, unless those thoughts are satisfied with alcohol or substance use. This can be especially true with people with co-occurring addiction and mental illness.
Co-Occurring Mental Illness and Chronic Relapsing
Many people don’t realize just how common co-occurring disorders can be. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders…. Of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses. Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.” These individuals are also much more likely to experience chronic relapsing.
Many people with co-occurring disorders treat their mental illness symptoms with alcohol and substances. This is because the reality is that alcohol and drugs can do a very effective job of numbing negative cognitions and emotions. Of course, this is only temporary and will eventually lead to much more serious complications down the road (including addiction). The good news is that there is a solution to chronic relapsing; the key is to connect to the right recovery center and utilize the right modalities.
How to Recover From Chronic Relapsing
When it comes to addiction, it is important to understand that recovery is as much about what goes on under the surface as much about what happens above. This means that recovering at the cellular level must involve getting to the underlying issues. These are the root/core causes of addiction and are often associated with trauma.
Many people don’t realize how prevalent trauma really is. This is especially true in younger populations. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Over two-thirds of children report experiencing at least one traumatic event by age 16… Some children may not recover from trauma on their own, even with family support. In these cases, a mental health professional trained in evidence-based trauma treatment can help children and families heal.”
Also, just like addiction, trauma takes a serious negative toll on the family. According to SAMHSA, “The effects of traumatic events place a heavy burden on individuals, families, and communities… Substance use, mental health conditions, and other risky behaviors have been linked with traumatic experiences. Because these behavioral health concerns can present challenges in relationships, careers, and other aspects of life, it is important to understand the nature and impact of trauma, and to explore healing.” This healing may come in the form of trauma therapy, which also aids in relapse prevention.
Utilizing Trauma Therapy for Chronic Relapsing
Psychotherapy is one of the most effective tools for treating addiction and chronic relapsing. This is because it gets to the underlying root/core causes of addiction, like trauma. Trauma therapy takes that attention to underlying causes one step further.
According to the peer-reviewed thesis Trauma-Informed Therapy, by Doctors Yadav, McNamara, and Gunturu, “Trauma-focused psychotherapy is defined as any therapy that uses cognitive, emotional, or behavioral techniques to facilitate the processing of a traumatic experience, with the trauma focus being a central component of the therapeutic process. Trauma-informed therapy encompasses a range of therapeutic modalities aimed at addressing the complex needs of individuals affected by trauma. These therapies are applied in behavioral health contexts to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters healing and resilience while integrating trauma awareness into every facet of care.”
Trauma therapy also works well with many other types of modalities. This includes experiential therapies like surf therapy.
Utilizing Surf Therapy for Chronic Relapsing
When it comes to chronic relapsing, it is important to find healthy activities that can give one a new sense of “life’s purpose.” Surfing can be one of these activities.
Surfing is sacred on the Big Island of Hawaii. Surfing is also highly accessible at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™. This is because a mere 15-minute journey from our luxury 30-acre property sits one of the best surf breaks on the Hamakua Coast. Here, one can catch some of the best waves in the world while also meditating between breaks.
Surf therapy also offers a myriad of other benefits. According to the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychology, “One environmental context that has received less attention is water-based physical activity, with researchers suggesting that swimming and other water-based activities (e.g., kayaking, surfing) may provide superior benefits for the promotion of human well-being due to greater affordances. These activities have heightened the psychological benefits (e.g., reduced anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, increased positive affect, and increased quality of life) associated with exercise and nature among US war veterans. Further, there is increasing evidence suggesting that participation in action and adventure sports, such as surfing, is meaningful and life-enhancing.” Yoga can also help bring meaning into one’s life.
Utilizing Yoga Therapy for Chronic Relapsing
Yoga has been utilized for thousands of years to help people find balance and purpose in life. The iconic yogi and spiritual leader B.K.S. Iyengar famously said, “Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.”
Yoga can be highly beneficial for recovery and also offers a myriad of benefits. Of course, these benefits are going to vary depending on many circumstances, but there are many common benefits. The following are just a few of those benefits:
- A greater focus on mindfulness
- Creates empathy
- Acquiring a better sense of self
- Improved breathing
- Better strength and posture
- Finding a better sense of mental balance and clarity
- Helping one connect with others and heal relationships
- Increased positivity and wellness
- Connects individuals with new, relatable people
- Encourages spirituality
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Can help individuals who struggle with suicidal ideations
As one can see, these benefits are vast and varied. Yoga also works very well with other types of treatment, making yoga even more valuable to individuals who are seeking a more comprehensive treatment plan. The key is finding the right types of treatments that work together and sticking to them. This includes utilizing treatments for relapse prevention. Yoga also works well in tandem with 12-Step recovery.
Utilizing 12-Step Recovery for Chronic Relapsing
12-Step recovery is a great way to avoid or recover from the vicious cycle of chronic relapsing. This is because 12-Step recovery is all about community and working with others. Working with others helps people in recovery feel less alone, as well as keeps them accountable.
In fact, working with others is so important in relation to avoiding relapse that they even named a chapter after it in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (commonly referred to as the Big Book). The chapter, “Working With Others,” states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much ensure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail…. You can help when no one else can.” 12-Step recovery is a great way to avoid a relapse and heal at the cellular level.
The Importance of Long-Term Success at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This includes all of our plans with elements of relapse prevention.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then the time to recover is now. Recovery is waiting out here on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. You can do this! We can help.
Many people struggle with relapses in recovery. There is also a segment of the population who struggle with “chronic relapsing.” It is important to understand the nature of relapses and how to break the vicious cycle of chronic relapses. The good news is that there are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one achieve long-term recovery once and for all. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about relapse prevention, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™ today at (808) 775-0200.
