Alcohol Relapse Warning Signs
Alcoholism grips over 5% of the adult population. Regardless of how you overcome your alcohol use disorder (AUD), it’s important to accept that you will face a lifelong battle with temptation. The good news is that the journey does get easier over time. Nonetheless, you must acknowledge the fact that anyone recovering from alcoholism is at risk of a relapse.
Relapses can occur for many reasons. They often occur during the withdrawal phase because it all gets too much. It can happen after the completion of an alcohol treatment plan. Like other aspects of life return to normality, it can feel overwhelming and lead you to drink.
If you relapse, you must not punish yourself. Nonetheless, prevention is the best form of protection. Here are six potential warning signs to keep an eye out for.
Warning Signs of Alcohol Relapse
1. Stress
Mental health issues are often the root cause of an alcohol use disorder. Given that stress is a major trigger for depression, anxiety, and other issues, raised stress levels are a big issue. This is perhaps most common in the weeks after leaving the alcohol rehab center, but it could occur at any stage of your recovery. If you notice that life is getting too stressful, try to relax.
2. Poor Decision Making
If you have lost the ability to make controlled decisions in other aspects of your life, it suggests you are at risk of doing the same with alcohol. So, if you’ve found sabotaged relationships, your career, or fitness plans, it could be a red flag. Do not let this situation go unnoticed.
3. Withdrawal Symptoms
The return of withdrawal symptoms is another major problem. Your body and brain are trying to lure you back to alcohol while you may be tempted to drink just to remove the discomfort. You must stay strong to avoid the threat of relapsing. It may be necessary to seek expert help at this stage.
4. Avoiding Sessions
Even when you feel that you are in control of your AUD, Alcoholics’ Anonymous sessions, IOP Treatment, or other group therapy will play a key role in your continued recovery. If you have started to skip sessions or feel that they are now a burden, it could be a sign that a relapse is on the way.
5. Avoiding Support
The battle against alcoholism is a personal journey, but you don’t have to face it alone. Friends, family, therapists, and other members of your support network go a long way to keeping you on the right path. So, if you begin to sever those ties, you will find that the threat of a relapse grows.
6. Denial
Perhaps the worst symptom that you are likely to relapse is that you deny the red flags above. All of those issues show that alcoholism is slowly dragging you back in. Turning a blind eye won’t just increase the likelihood of a relapse. It will probably make it happen sooner too.
How To Avoid A Relapse
Relapses are a natural part of the alcohol recovery process, but that doesn’t mean you have to experience them. When you stay vigilant to the signs of a relapse and respond quickly to them, prevention is possible. An Intensive Outpatient Program is probably the most effective solution, but other options are available.
If you are worried about relapsing, call Peak Recovery to stop withdrawal symptoms in their tracks today.
Getting Help For Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol use disorders need treating as soon as they are identified. If you’re worried about your drinking habit or a loved one’s potentially damaging relationship with alcohol, now is the time to take the first step.
Contact Peaks Recovery to discover your options today!