Does Relapse Mean Treatment Has Failed? No… But it Can Be the Beginning of the End.

Posted by Tony Bylsma on August 6, 2010 under Effective Drug Detox Rehab | Read the First Comment

I remember the first time I read that a ‘study’ at some university made the statement, “Relapse is just a natural part of the recovery process.”  I wondered at that and at why someone would say that relapse is anything other that a set-back.

I think the idea behind it is to help the addict who relapses avoid such discouragement that he or she will give up. And that is valid. During the recovery process it is not uncommon for there to be a slip, especially with certain drugs.

But to say that it is a natural occurrence is to insinuate that relapse is expected! Relapse can be deadly. The body’s tolerance levels to the drug of choice have often dropped considerably during the period of abstinence. If the user then goes back for a “final binge”, or simply falls off the wagon, the same dosage he or she was using before treatment could now be lethal. In fact it is common for this situation to have a deadly outcome. Relapse is something to be avoided with great effort.

If there is a relapse, of a slip back into using, does that mean that treatment has failed?

No. It absolutely does not mean treatment was not successful. To believe that is to invalidate all the gains the addict has made during their stay in treatment.

It should be made very clear that although there has been a slip, understanding and strength gained by the addict in their rehab treatment is not lost.

Things are rarely straight black or white, on or off. Addiction recovery will take time and the ability to resist urges to use their drug of choice will steadily improve over time. So while it is true that a relapse is not to be expected, and can be deadly; if one does occur, it does not mean that rehab treatment was a failure and now all is lost.

The addict is stronger and needs to climb right back on the wagon to continue his or her journey toward a life without dependency on drugs or alcohol.

TheRoadOut