Heroin relapse happens after a period of abstinence during which heroin is not used. It usually occurs due to a stressful incident combined with solid cravings.
Addiction is a sickness, according to the book Relapse and Recovery in Addictions, and relapse is an unavoidable aspect of recovery. Furthermore, it implies that relapse is part of a more extensive learning process leading to recovery, and it reveals areas that need to be reinforced to avoid future relapses.
Regardless of how many relapses it takes for a person to stay sober, a good aftercare program is critical to a successful recovery.
What Factors Contribute to Heroin Relapse?
Relapse is defined by Terence Gorski, a substance misuse specialist, as a series of actions, thoughts, and difficulties that occur over time. In other words, when someone becomes clean, the triggers and issues that led to their addiction don’t just go away. Any issue that emerges during rehabilitation is an early symptom of relapse, which becomes too tough to manage after some time. Individuals who have developed a substance addiction believe they cannot cope with life and use it as a coping mechanism.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Relapse
Some of the most typical signs of heroin relapse are listed here.
- When you are ignoring need for help.
- Overeating, sleeping too much, or participating in other compulsive behaviors.
- Acting or feeling uncontrollable at work.
- The absence of a caring family or social network.
- Missing follow-ups
- Missing counseling sessions
- Severe physical aversions.
What Should You Do If You Relapse on Heroin?
- If you relapse from heroin addiction, keep your cool. Make an effort not to be too harsh on yourself. There’s no shame in relapsing, and you’re certainly not alone.
- Act as quickly as possible. Do not put off obtaining help for days or weeks.
- Consult a friend, family member, or sponsor you can trust and who will be supportive.
- Attend 12-step meetings regularly. Setting a goal of 90 meetings in 90 days, for example, could be beneficial.
- Resume attending individual counseling.
- Do something positive to distract yourself from your addiction. Aside from exercising, getting outside in nature, reading, and watching movies are all viable possibilities.
- Avoid thinking in pessimistic or all-or-nothing terms. This thinking includes statements like “Life is no fun if I don’t use” or “I can’t handle life without using.”
- Enroll in a professional drug and alcohol recovery program.
Is Your Loved One Suffering Froma Heroin Relapse?
When you’re close to someone, it’s far more challengingto see warning signs. Heroin relapse symptoms are prevalent among those in recovery. Relapse is more likely happening when mood fluctuations and social irresponsibility and certain dangerous habits are present.
Join the Best Relapse Prevention Program at Skyward Treatment
You can join a relapse prevention program at Skyward Treatment Center to regain your sobriety. Maybe you thought you’d be able to handle some temptations, only to discover you couldn’t. If you notice indicators of heroin relapse, you can seek help from our treatment center.
