If one of your friends or family members is battling addiction, you should be aware that addiction is a lifelong burden. An addict in the recovery may never fully recover and relapse at any time.
Naturally, a good support system of friends and family combined with personal diligence helps addicts to avoid relapsing. However, if you’re friends with a former addict, you should pay attention to these 7 tell-tale signs that they might be on the edge of a relapse and rush to help them immediately.
- Boasting about recovery
Sometimes addicts in recovery are very vocal about their achievement. Ironically, that type of overconfidence and openness to discussing their recovery might be a sign that they are about to relapse or they have already done so.
In fact, the louder they talk about it, the more it feels to them that they are in control – that’s why it might be a bad sign. When you notice that type of behavior, act quickly to make sure that they don’t downplay the severity of their addiction and proceed with the recovery process smoothly.
- Return to addictive people and habits
Another significant sign of a potential relapse is when you notice a recovering addict returning to the people and places they were surrounded by when they were addicted.
They might feel that they are strong enough to handle that, but in reality, stepping in that direction is often a mark of the imminent return to the downward spiral that causes their addiction in the first place – and a potential danger to their health.
For example, if you notice your friend or family member hanging out with people who are still using or are in any other way involved in addiction, remember that they are much more likely to relapse. That’s when you should gently help them turn away from these old habits and friends, or at least make sure to a accompany them to help keep their mind off temptation.
- New addictive behaviors
Sometimes recovering addicts find new addictive behaviors. For example, former drug addicts may start binge drinking. That type of behavior is an attempt to control the addiction by replacing it with a new habit. Unfortunately, it might quickly lead to relapse. If you see that happening, you need to intervene as soon as possible.
- Mood swings
If you notice a recovering addict experiencing mood swings or sudden mood changes, that might be a sign of an internal conflict that might, in turn, lead to a relapse. Even irritability could eventually lead them to return to their addiction to make themselves feel better.
Secrecy and sudden bad moods are tell-tale signs of an impending relapse. Try talking to them about the cause of their mood changes and ask whether you can do anything to help with the sources of their bad mood.
- Absence on meetings
The majority of recovering addicts continue to attend meetings or therapy for the rest of their lives to stay on the right track. When you notice your friend or family member starts to miss meetings, that might mean that they are on the verge of a relapse. Make sure that they return to their meetings by driving them there yourself and waiting for them outside.
- Bad situations
Some addicts in recovery find themselves in stressful situations where they feel trapped or see everything in their lives going wrong. And that’s just one step toward returning to their old addiction.
Some recovering addicts feel that the only other option is suicide. Remember that recovering addicts might experience significant changes in their lives as they return to their former environments and relationships. Negative feelings like that can be quite intense, and not everyone can express them.
That’s why it’s your job to pay close attention to their mental states and help them work through problems they might experience at home or work. Only then will you be able to help them see the light at the end of the tunnel.
- Overblown reactions
If you notice the recovering addict treating normal everyday problems like huge crises, consider it a warning sign that they might be on their way to relapse. The most significant problem experienced by recovering addicts is that when they feel out of control, they quickly turn to their addiction in order to cope with that.
That’s why it’s a good idea to organize a meeting and talk to them, letting them know that you’re ready to help solve problems.
But above all, just talk to your friend or family member and listen to their concerns.
That’s how you can help them stay on the right track. If you feel that your words are not providing as much help as you would like to, consult with a professional or ask them for help in managing the situation. Pay attention to these signs, and you will be able to help former addicts turn away from relapse and toward recovery.
About the author:
David Beeshaw is a health blogger, deeply interested in helping all those at risk of addiction avoid relapse and lead a healthy, clean lifestyle. Whenever not writing, David might usually be found working out or listening to motivational podcasts.