Methods for Avoiding Relapse

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Importance of Relapse Prevention
Methods for avoiding relapse
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Human beings have used pscychoactive substances to alter mood and induce pleasure since prehistoric times. The complexities of todays world have however contributed to the accelerated use of drugs and alcohol therefore leading to an epidemic of chemical dependency. The prevalence of this problem can to an extent be blamed on the widespread availability of drugs and alcohol as well as their popularization by the mass media.

As a result, there have emerged a class of people who are have a chemical dependency and seek to end this through treatment. However, these recovering users face the risk of relapsing into their former habits. This paper shall in a concise but informative manner discuss the importance of relapses prevention and recommend various methods a chemical dependency counselor can employ to help clients maintain sobriety.

Importance of Relapse Prevention

After completing treatment, it is of great importance to ensure that the patient does not relapse. Relapse is defined as a return to substance abuse following a period of abstinence and it occurs in users who have undergone treatment (Larimer et al. 1999). Considering the fact that two thirds of patients use their drugs of choice within a year of leaving treatment, relapse prevention is one of the most important aspects of chemical dependency treatment. Relapse prevention programs are designed with the assumption that treatment does not end with the discharge of the patient from a formal treatment institute.

Relapse should be avoided at all costs since it has many negative effects on the recovery process of the patient. If not properly dealt with, lapses by the client will be viewed as a failure and an indication of a lack of willpower. Larimer et al. (1999) states that lapses may cause the client to view themselves as morally weak and therefore lead to a self-fulfilling prophesy that the lapse will result in a relapse. Relapse also results in the patient increased tolerance and dependency upon the substance.

Methods for avoiding relapse

Management of cravings is a difficult but essential step in relapse prevention. Doweiko (1993) reveals that cravings can occur long after the drugs have cleared from the body as a result of the conditioning which was caused by pschoactive drug use. Medication assists in the reduction of relapse rates. For alcohol users, drugs such as Naltrexone and Acamprosate result in reduction in alcohol craving and reduce the reinforcing properties of drinking (Perkinson, 2002). A counselor can therefore encourage patient to take up medication to reduce the possibility of relapse.

Exercising has been demonstrated to be an effective way or countering chemical dependencies. Research indicates that exercising not only enhances the physical fitness of patients but it also increases their self-concept (Perkinson, 2002; Gary & Guthrie, 1972). Rigorous exercise also produces natural opioids which give a person a natural high therefore negating the need for drugs and alcohol. The counselor can therefore come up with a strong exercise program for the client so as to assist in development of a new sense of self-efficacy.

Relapse is known to occur when patients are experiencing high-risk situations. The counselor can help a client anticipate and plan for high-risk situations. This is based on the assumption that high risk situations serve as precipitators of initial alcohol use after abstinence (Larimer, 1999). For this to occur, the person must first identify the situations which may make him vulnerable to relapse. The counselor can through interviews get information about past lapses and hence from this adopt strategies to target weaknesses in the client and therefore reduce the risk of relapse.

Establishment of new relationships may help avoid relapse in the client. New relationships help the recovering person to get emotional support without the debt and guilt associated with old relationships (Vaillant, 1990). This new relationships can be fostered by the counselor by encouraging the client to join a sobriety program such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Such programs assist recovering addicts to recover by having them share experiences and hence derive strength and hope from each other.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of chemical dependency treatment is evident by a prevention of relapse in the recovering person and as such, a relapse point to an ineffectiveness of the treatment regime. From the discussions presented in this paper, it is clear that the role of the chemical dependency counselor in relapse prevention is great. By following the various methods recommended herein, the counselor can help a client maintain sobriety and hence lead a productive life devoid of the negative influence of addictions.

References

Doweiko, H. (1993) Concepts of Chemical Dependency (3rd ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Larimer, M. W., Palmer, R.S. & Marlatt, A. G. (1999). Relapse Prevention An Overview of Marlatts Cognitive-Behavioral Model. Alcohol Research & Health, Vol. 23, No. 2.

Perkinson, R.R. (2002). Chemical dependency counseling: a practical guide. Sage.

Vaillant, G. (1990). The Natural History of Alcoholism: Causes. Patterns, and Paths to Recovery. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

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Methods for Avoiding Relapse

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