Alcohol Treatment – a New Approach to Recovering from a Relapse in San Diego County

It seems like everywhere I go I see alcohol. In bottles at the grocery store, in stacks next to the vegetables, at the end aisles display, stacked high, next to the cookies, the bread and the liter of vodka conveniently located next to the bread for those who don’t want to be seen by a neighbor near the alcohol aisle.

Still with over 30 years of personal recovery from alcohol dependence, I still turn around or look the other way when I see myself headed down an aisle where there is alcohol. I treasure the many gifts life has given me by not drinking alcohol, so I am very protective of myself to avoid being around alcohol so as to avoid a relapse. 

When a person is trying to recover from alcohol dependence and suffers a relapse, what causes it?

Many people relapse in their attempts to continue in their sobriety. It is known that 70% of people will have at least one relapse in their first year. Drinking soda at a gathering vs alcohol  poses a challenge to the sense of belonging with one’s family and friends.  Alcohol provided a buffer for a lack of confidence, reduced social anxiety, social pressure and  inhibitions with others. Life felt easier, more fun until it turned into dependence, which it does for at least 10% of the population. Chemical dependence is characterized by a lack of control, increased tolerance and preoccupation with obtaining and preparing to use the substances, despite these consequences. 

Nora Volkov, M.D., Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse,  who describes addiction as "continued use despite catastrophic consequences", has helped the medical, scientific and clinical community through her research to understand the reactions of addictive substances on the brain. 

To stay sober or get sober again after a relapse means one needs to grow  a sober network, avoid isolation and talk to other people, stay in touch with the 12 step community of contacts and meetings, church and other support groups. These actions are essential, no matter how uncomfortable one might feel in the beginning.   

Since addiction is a disease of isolation that affects the mind, body and spirit, to stay sober long term includes the addition of wellness activities such as exercise, acupuncture, yoga, massage and nutrition. Research shows that these activities reduce stress chemicals in the body and increase positive and calming brain chemicals that alter our reactions to people and situations.

The task of staying sober after a relapse also depends on taking actions to return to the social support network we have established. This may include seeing a therapist to heal trauma, as well as the depression and anxiety that often accompany recovery.

 The unresolved emotional and physical effects of resentments, disappointments, and unresolved grief, often contribute more to your inner world than you probably realize, effecting your use of substances (such as alcohol, cocaine, tranquillizers, sleeping pills, marijuana), your health, work, relationships and satisfaction with life.

Seek to understand and resolve the events that triggered your relapse and you will help yourself recover from a relapse. Seek the help of a therapist, or a caring physician in addition to your recovery support community to help resolve the emotional barriers to your recovery.

Effective drug rehab looks at the whole person, and is an approach which empowers the strengths already within you. Recovery tools that are learned in addiction treatment set in motion the healing of the brain to repair emotions from the past and launch the body’s natural healing process.

Reach out for support and new tools to live a life of wellness when you look for  addiction treatment. As Winston Churchill once said, "Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm."

To your health,

 Judy Saalinger, Ph.D,MFT, CAS

Co-Founder, Executive Director

http://www.lastingrecovery.com/terms.html#addiction