Relapse Warning Signs
Telling lies, keeping secrets, making excuses
Dishonesty
Tell me your favorite relaxation technique
Correct :)
S
Specific
Challenge this justification:"I can't relax without drinking/using."
- I can relax in other ways
- A relapse will actually lead to more stress/anxiety
A community fellowship that outlines a course of action for recovery and usually includes step work, sponsorship, and identifying a higher power.
Self-help, AA, NA, Al-Anon, SOS,
Things are not happening fast enough, rushing things
Impatience
Stress, muscle tension, high blood pressure, anxiety, relapse
M
Measurable
Challenge this justification: "My family still doesn't trust me even though I'm sober, so I might as well start using/drinking again."
- Using/drinking will lead to even more distrust
- I have been dishonest in the past so I understand why it may be hard to trust me
- I should demonstrate my trustworthiness by not using/drinking
This local agency is available for those experiencing an emotional emergency by offering the following services: 24/7 hotline, mobile outreach, trauma response, advocacy, and community education and training.
Crisis Services
hotline: (716) 834-3131
*Crisis text line: 741741
Taking on too much, being a "workaholic"
Exhaustion
Think of your favorite place and begin to have feelings that are associated with that location
Imagery
A
Achievable
Challenge this justification: "I had a bad day, I deserve to use/drink."
- Today was actually a good day but a "bad" thing happened
- A relapse will not make today better
- I can reward myself in other ways
This is a safe, benign, life saving medication use to reverse opiate overdose and is available without a prescription at most pharmacies.
Narcan (Naloxone)
Ask your counselor for a free training!
Thinking you've got everything under control, no longer fearing your addiction, feeling that you don't need to work on recovery anymore
Over-confidence
This type of breathing slows your heart rate
options: inhalation or exhalation
Exhalation
R
Realistic
Challenge this justification: "I can use ______ because it's not my drug of choice."
- Drinking/using another substance may lead to a relapse on my drug of choice
- There are negative consequences to using any drug
This number can be called at anytime, 24/7, and offers information and education about addiction, referrals, assessments, peer and family support, outpatient linkage, and follow-up.
The Addiction Open Access Hotline
(716) 831-7007
Thinking everything is okay (positive or negative), "forgetting" about negative consequences, "giving in"
Complacency
Intentionally tensing muscles and then releasing to relieve tension
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
T
Time sensitive
Challenge this justification: " I am ____ months/years sober, therefore I do not need to go to treatment/self-help or reach out to sober supports anymore."
- Recovery is life long and ongoing
- Not practicing recovery may lead to a relapse
- Practicing my recovery makes me feel happy/health/proud/etc.
This is Horizon's mission statement
Together for recovery. Changing lives. Saving lives.