Browsing all posts in Relapse.

Do You Know Your Relapse Warning Signs

When I was in rehab back in the 80s, I remember very well the therapists words of warning:  if you notice you are not taking care of your appearance, not caring about how you dress etc. see that as a warning sign for you.  They noticed during those 30 days that when I was struggling, [...]

Oh It’s Not an Addiction, I’m Just Having a Rough Time Right Now

Sound familiar?  It’s one of the big lies we told ourselves when alcohol or drugs were taking a wrecking ball to our lives.
I wouldn’t drink so much, if…(fill in the blank with the excuse of the day/week/month/year)
I’ve noticed when I see someone now struggling with addiction that I often wonder what the chances are that [...]

The Risks of Relapse after a Decade of Sobriety

Relapse is always a traumatic and dangerous thing – who’s to say the person will make it back? I’ve always felt I never want to test it – I’d rather not find out that I don’t have another recovery in me!  I have written in the past about a friend who died after years of [...]

Recovery and Relapse: DJ AM

I thought this article from Phoenix House was well worth reading – on the continuing challenge of recovery and the risk of relapse.  DJ AM struggled in recovery for 11 years, only to die recently from an overdose (after surviving a PLANE CRASH! – I mean he could survive a plane crash, but not his [...]

When Someone You Love Drinks Again

We develop a lot of really strong relationships in sobriety – particularly with those people we got sober with. It’s almost like we went to school together. Started in kindergarten and moved through the grades, growing and changing as we learn from others.  We support each other. We encourage each other. It’s an unusually powerful [...]