Noah Vinter
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcoholism, is a common medical condition that affects a person's ability to stop or control their alcohol consumption despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. Recovery from AUD is a journey that is often marked by relapses, which occur when a person returns to drinking after a period of sobriety. Relapses are characterised by a progression through emotional, mental, and physical stages, and they can have detrimental and deadly consequences. However, they are not uncommon, and experts consider them a part of the recovery process. Understanding the stages of relapse and practising self-care can help prevent and manage relapses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Term | Alcohol use disorder (AUD), Alcoholism, Alcohol addiction |
| Cause | Changes in brain chemistry, Negative feelings, Stress, Exposure to alcohol |
| Symptoms | Craving alcohol, Drinking despite adverse consequences, Drinking more than intended, Spending a lot of time drinking, Failing to meet obligations, Giving up activities, Drinking in hazardous situations, Drinking despite medical conditions |
| Relapse | Returning to alcohol after a period of sobriety, Can be gradual, Can be triggered by emotions, behaviours, and thoughts, May be caused by unresolved emotions, failure to take care of oneself, and negative experiences |
| Prevention | Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Self-care, Support groups, Exercise, Journaling, Formal recovery plan |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
The development of AUD is influenced by a combination of genetic factors and environmental factors. Genetic predisposition accounts for approximately 60% of AUD risk, with family history and parents' drinking patterns playing a significant role. Additionally, mental health conditions and a history of trauma can increase the risk of AUD. Psychiatric disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are commonly associated with AUD.
The symptoms of AUD focus on changes in mood and behaviour. Individuals with AUD may experience cravings for alcohol, continue drinking despite negative consequences, drink more than intended, spend excessive time drinking or recovering from hangovers, and repeatedly fail to meet obligations due to drinking. They may also give up important activities, use alcohol in hazardous situations, and continue drinking despite medical conditions exacerbated by alcohol consumption.
Treatment for AUD typically involves behavioural therapies, mutual-support groups, and medications. Behavioural treatments, such as alcohol counselling and talk therapy, aim to change drinking behaviour by teaching coping skills and providing motivation to prevent a return to drinking. Mutual-support groups provide peer support for reducing or stopping drinking, offering an additional layer of assistance when combined with professional treatment. Three medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help reduce or stop drinking include naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.
Relapse is a common occurrence during recovery from AUD. It refers to when an individual starts drinking again, differing from a lapse, which is temporary and short-term. Relapses are considered part of the recovery process, and it is important to learn from them and persist in treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a valuable tool for preventing relapses by addressing negative thinking patterns associated with AUD. Identifying triggers and developing strategies to manage them is crucial for relapse prevention.
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Relapse prevention
Relapse is a common part of recovery, but it doesn't have to define your journey. Relapse prevention treatment can help you identify triggers, build healthier coping strategies, and stay engaged in long-term recovery.
Understanding Relapse
When recovering from alcohol use disorder, a relapse is when you start drinking again. It is different from a lapse, which is temporary and short-term, such as having one drink at a party and then going back to not drinking. Experts say that relapses occur in three stages: the emotional phase, the mental phase, and the physical phase. The emotional phase is when your feelings set the stage for a relapse. The mental phase is when you start thinking about drinking. The physical phase is when you act on those thoughts.
- Therapy and Support: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an important tool for preventing relapses. It teaches you how to overcome negative thinking, which is often at the heart of a relapse. With CBT, you learn that recovery is based on practising coping skills, not willpower. You can discuss trigger situations with your therapist and rehearse strategies to deal with them. Keeping a journal can also help you stick with recovery. You can write out your recovery plan and your relapse prevention plan, including a list of your personal triggers and techniques to manage them. Support from peers and family can also help you stay engaged in long-term recovery.
- Medication: Naltrexone is a medication that helps prevent relapses on alcohol by reducing cravings. Acamprosate is another medication used to help prevent relapses. Disulfiram acts as a deterrent against an alcohol relapse by causing uncomfortable physical effects. Bupropion has also been shown to be effective for relapse prevention.
- Know your triggers: Certain circumstances may trigger the urge to have a drink. Exposure triggers are situations in which you come into contact with alcohol, such as at a party. It is important to practice scenarios in your mind and determine a plan to avoid relapse.
- Self-care: Pay attention to your physical and emotional needs. Exercise is a great way to manage stress and deal with the feelings that trigger the urge to drink.
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Triggers and treatment
Relapses are common during recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). A relapse is when you start drinking again after a period of abstinence. It is different from a lapse, which is temporary and short-term, such as having one drink at a party and then resuming abstinence. Experts consider relapses a normal part of the recovery process, and the key is to learn from mistakes and persist in treatment.
Relapses can be triggered by external factors, such as people, places, and things associated with past drinking, or internal factors, such as moods and emotional states. Stress, for example, can lead people to self-medicate with alcohol. Other internal triggers include unresolved emotions, failure to practice self-care, and neglecting one's emotional needs.
To prevent relapses, it is important to identify triggers and develop strategies to manage them. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a valuable tool for preventing relapses by helping individuals overcome negative thinking and teaching them coping skills. Keeping a journal can aid in sticking to a recovery plan and identifying triggers. Additionally, support groups, ongoing education, and mentorship can help prevent relapses.
Medical treatments, such as medication and behavioural therapy, can also help deter drinking during high-risk periods. If a relapse occurs, healthcare providers should adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Relapses can be powerful learning experiences that help individuals and healthcare providers understand situations that may require different or more frequent treatments.
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Addiction as a cycle
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), or alcoholism, is a common medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol consumption despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe, and it often leads to negative outcomes such as relationship issues, health problems, and accidents. Young people are especially at risk for AUD, as alcohol consumption during adolescence can affect brain development and increase the likelihood of AUD later in life.
Addiction is often viewed as a cycle, with individuals experiencing a repeating pattern of binge drinking/intoxication, negative emotional states, and impaired executive function. The binge-drinking stage involves the rewarding effects of alcohol, such as euphoria and anxiety reduction. However, over time, drinking to cope with stress can enhance negative emotional states, leading to further drinking and a cycle of alcohol consumption. This cycle can occur over weeks or months or even multiple times a day.
Relapse is a common occurrence during recovery from AUD. It refers to a return to alcohol use after a period of sobriety and is typically gradual rather than sudden. Relapse often involves three stages: emotional, mental, and physical. During the emotional phase, individuals may experience unresolved emotions and a lack of self-care, which can lead to thoughts about drinking in the mental phase. In the physical phase, individuals act on their thoughts and start drinking again. Recognising the warning signs of each stage can help individuals take action to prevent a full-blown relapse.
To manage relapse, individuals should pay attention to their physical and emotional needs, practice self-care, and seek support from therapists or counsellors. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a valuable tool for preventing relapses by helping individuals overcome negative thinking patterns and develop coping skills. Additionally, it is important to understand the stages of relapse and view relapses as part of the recovery process, learning from mistakes and continuing to strive for sobriety.
While relapses are common, they can have detrimental consequences, including shame, guilt, and in severe cases, even death. Therefore, it is crucial to encourage individuals experiencing a relapse to seek treatment or help as soon as possible, offering compassion and support without shame or judgement.
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Managing cravings
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common medical condition. People with AUD are unable to stop drinking despite the negative impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. Treatment may include medication and behavioural therapy.
Relapses are common during recovery. Experts consider relapses part of the recovery process. The key is to learn from your mistakes and keep trying. It is important to manage cravings for alcohol, which can be overwhelming and challenging to navigate. Here are some strategies that can help:
- Know your triggers: Understand the situations, emotions, or environments that typically prompt the desire to drink. Recognizing these triggers empowers you to anticipate and prepare for them proactively.
- Make changes to your environment: Minimize exposure to triggers by avoiding places or social circles that encourage drinking, removing alcohol from your home, or restructuring routines to reduce opportunities for alcohol consumption.
- Seek support: Whether it’s a 12-step program or time with a therapist, it may help to talk with people who understand your situation. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an important tool for preventing relapses. It teaches you how to overcome negative thinking and discuss trigger situations with your therapist.
- Develop coping skills for stress: Stress is a major trigger for cravings, so developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential. Consider techniques like yoga, meditation, journaling, or deep breathing to help manage anxiety and tension.
- Exercise: Exercise is a great way to manage stress and take care of yourself.
- Be patient with yourself: Managing cravings is an ongoing process, and it’s important to be patient and kind to yourself on your sobriety journey.
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Frequently asked questions
It is called a relapse.
A relapse is when an addict returns to alcohol or drugs after a period of sobriety. It is a gradual process that can begin weeks or months before someone starts drinking again.
There are typically three stages of a relapse: the emotional phase, the mental phase, and the physical phase. During the emotional phase, an individual may experience unresolved emotions and a failure to take care of themselves. This can lead to the mental phase, where they start thinking about drinking. Finally, during the physical phase, they act on those thoughts and start drinking again.
Signs of an emotional relapse include feelings of resentment, denial, and a shift back to old thoughts, behaviours, and patterns.
Here are some strategies to prevent a relapse:
- Practice self-care and address your physical and emotional needs.
- Understand the stages of relapse and be mindful of your triggers.
- Seek professional help, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to learn coping skills and strategies to deal with triggers.
- Develop healthy alternatives to using alcohol, such as exercise, yoga, or other enjoyable activities.
