Relapse Workshop: Warnings Signs of a Relapse

Estimated watch time: 3 mins 24 secs

Summary:

Rarely does a relapse come out of nowhere. There are frequently a number of warning signs that someone may show.

This video guide can help you recognize common warning signs and which ones may apply to you.

Video Materials:

Transcript:

u003ch3u003eRelapse Workshop: Warning Signs of a Relapseu003c/h3u003ernu003ciu003eIn this lesson, we’re talking about the warning signs of a relapse:u003c/iu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eStopping or cutting back your attendance in therapy or counselingu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eThinking about ways you might be able to drink or use without anyone knowing about itu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFantasizing about how good it would feel to drink or use or thinking very little about the potential negative consequencesu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eStopping or cutting back your attendance in self-help groups such as AA or Smart Recoveryu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eEngaging obsessively in a replacement addiction such as eating, gambling, shopping, video games or pornographyu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eIsolating yourself from othersu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePlacing yourself in risky situationsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpending time in places where you used to buy or use drugs or alcoholu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eAvoiding talking about mixed feelings or doubts you have about staying soberu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eStarting to use a drug other than your substance of choiceu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeeling intense, negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, anger or irritabilityu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeeling that you don’t fit in with others who are in recoveryu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRegularly spending time with people who are usingu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eBlaming other people for your problemsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eHaving very few activities that are fun or enjoyableu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eNot sleeping well or not sleeping enoughu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eNeglecting responsibilities such as paying bills, doing household tasks, taking care of loved ones, or getting to work or schoolu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eAvoiding talking about feelings of unhappinessu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeeling hopeless about your ability to rebuild your life.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eKeeping alcohol, drugs or paraphernalia at homeu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eHanging onto the phone numbers of dealers or people used to use withu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eLyingu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRejecting help from othersu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeeling bored or having lots of unstructured or unplanned timeu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eIsolating yourself or withdrawing from recovery supportsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eActing defensive when others around you express concern about your well-being or recoveryu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernAre there others you can think of? I’d like you to point out and name your top three warning signs.rnrnSo do you believe you’re an addict or alcoholic? That belief is an important part of staying sober. If you don’t think you are, it’s going to be difficult to stay sober. Do you want to stop using? What are you not doing that you need to be doing in order to stay sober? And what are you doing that you need to stop doing in order to stay sober and identify who or what can help you?rnrnIn the next lesson, we’re going to talk about what you can do to reduce your relapse risk.rnrnThank you for choosing The Recovery Village. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health or substance abuse and would like to find out more about the programs we offer, please reach out to us directly at u003ca href=u0022tel:855-387-3291u0022u003e855-387-3291u003c/au003e.

Other Addiction & Mental Health Resources

The Recovery Village has several, free resources for those living with addiction or mental health conditions and their loved ones. From videos, to clinically-hosted webinars and recovery meetings, to helpful, medically-reviewed articles, there is something for everyone. If you need more direct help, please reach out to one of our representatives.

Accompanying Worksheets:

There are lessons accompanying each video that you can access through our recovery portal, Swell or you can download, here. (Lesson 3)

Medically-reviewed articles:

Professional webinars:

Transcript:

Relapse Workshop: Warning Signs of a Relapse

In this lesson, we’re talking about the warning signs of a relapse:

Stopping or cutting back your attendance in therapy or counseling
Thinking about ways you might be able to drink or use without anyone knowing about it
Fantasizing about how good it would feel to drink or use or thinking very little about the potential negative consequences
Stopping or cutting back your attendance in self-help groups such as AA or Smart Recovery
Engaging obsessively in a replacement addiction such as eating, gambling, shopping, video games or pornography
Isolating yourself from others
Placing yourself in risky situations
Spending time in places where you used to buy or use drugs or alcohol
Avoiding talking about mixed feelings or doubts you have about staying sober
Starting to use a drug other than your substance of choice
Feeling intense, negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, anger or irritability
Feeling that you don’t fit in with others who are in recovery
Regularly spending time with people who are using
Blaming other people for your problems
Having very few activities that are fun or enjoyable
Not sleeping well or not sleeping enough
Neglecting responsibilities such as paying bills, doing household tasks, taking care of loved ones, or getting to work or school
Avoiding talking about feelings of unhappiness
Feeling hopeless about your ability to rebuild your life.
Keeping alcohol, drugs or paraphernalia at home
Hanging onto the phone numbers of dealers or people used to use with
Lying
Rejecting help from others
Feeling bored or having lots of unstructured or unplanned time
Isolating yourself or withdrawing from recovery supports
Acting defensive when others around you express concern about your well-being or recovery

Are there others you can think of? I’d like you to point out and name your top three warning signs.

So do you believe you’re an addict or alcoholic? That belief is an important part of staying sober. If you don’t think you are, it’s going to be difficult to stay sober. Do you want to stop using? What are you not doing that you need to be doing in order to stay sober? And what are you doing that you need to stop doing in order to stay sober and identify who or what can help you?

In the next lesson, we’re going to talk about what you can do to reduce your relapse risk.

Thank you for choosing The Recovery Village. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health or substance abuse and would like to find out more about the programs we offer, please reach out to us directly at 855-387-3291.

Paying for Treatment

Insurance Providers

Getting Admitted

Admissions Resources

For Loved Ones

Addiction Treatment

Mental Health Treatment

Addictions We Treat

About

Reviews & Testimonials

Get in Touch

Assessments

Specific Guides

Mental Health Resources

Other

State Rehab Guides

Warnings Signs of a Relapse