Ways To Break The Negative Stigma Of Relapse

Press release from Dr. Evan Espinosa, PSY D.:

May 25, 2021

Ways to Break the Negative Stigma of Relapse
It is difficult to understand the emotional distress a person in recovery feels when they have relapsed. While family and friends struggle with feelings of sorrow, disappointment, and frustration, the person who relapsed is often overcome with guilt and shame.

Relapse is a reality for an estimated 40 to 60 percent of people in recovery according to drugabuse.gov.

With relapses being so common, especially during the first year of recovery, it is important to not add any fuel to the stigma surrounding it. The person who has relapsed may already feel they have failed themselves and their family. When a family member has relapsed, it is important to hold off on your reactions because what the person needs is understanding and support, not ridicule. Not to say that the thoughts and emotions of loved ones aren’t important.

It’s pivotal that at the time of relapse for loved ones not to reinforce negative beliefs by rehashing traumas or offering discouraging thoughts. A certain amount of sobriety is usually needed before a person in recovery can be present and able to process traumas within a relationship and family or couples therapy should be sought out once it can be beneficial to all members. There is an unspoken stigma that surrounds substance abuse. Often people don’t want to discuss the topic and they dismiss it until the relapse happens. The problem with doing this is that there never really is a right time to discuss substance abuse. People are uncomfortable discussing the topic, whether it be their own issue, or a family member’s and often ignore relapse hoping it will go away. Society resists acknowledging the problem of relapse and substance abuse and this denial only exacerbates the problem.

Responding to a family member’s relapse The response to a person who has relapsed in their recovery is critical. Instead of reacting negatively to the person, or harboring thoughts that their loved one in recovery is back to square one, family and friends need to show support and remind themselves that a person in recovery deserves love. Showing love and support comes in many forms though and is dependent on the relationship you have with the person in recovery. Offering to get the person in recovery connected with inpatient or outpatient treatment as this is often times the first step towards getting back on track. Connecting them with their primary health care provider or other medical services may help as there are medications to help curb relapses if monitored by a professional.

Joining the person at peer-to-peer meetings is an easy way to show support as well. Letting the person know they are not alone in their battle against addiction can go a long way in treatment adherence after a relapse. It is often difficult for the person who has relapsed to return to recovery and the offer to help connect them with professionals and supportive groups will show they have immediate acceptance with the proper support system behind the. Nobody stays sober alone. Just remember that changing a behavior usually comes after additions in support are made, not subtractions.

Encourage the person that a relapse is not the end of the road and relapses are often times where perseverance and knowledge grow. So, continue to encourage the person to return to group therapy, outpatient therapy, their medical providers, and peer-to-peer support groups. Support plays an important role after a relapse to mitigate further emotional damage to the person in recovery and others. Be a positive force in their life and be involved in a meaningful way as your loved one continues moving forward in their recovery.

Suggest to the person they should consider a sober living facility even if for only a short period. Sober living facilities are an excellent option during the early recovery process to help sustain sobriety as time away from the substance is vital after relapse. A good sober living facility can act as a refuge where the person can safely live without being exposed or have access to the substances they are recovering from.

Signs a person has relapsed

A relapse rarely comes out of nowhere. There are often subtle signs that a person begins to show leading up to a relapse. Some of the most common signs include:

 Neglecting their appearance and personal hygiene

 No longer managing stress effectively

 Thinking about past substance abus

e  Displaying secretive behaviors

 Avoiding friends and family/isolation

 Reverting to poor lifestyle habits, such as no longer eating healthy or exercising

 Apathy

If you notice any of these signs, ask your loved one how they are doing. The person might not be ready to discuss their issues, but they will know you have noticed something is off about their behavior.

Always remind the person you are there for them and are available to talk when they are ready. If a family member or friend has experienced a relapse it may be time for them to return to a treatment program.

Just like one takes a car in for service, normalize the experience of reaching out for help as people in recovery will more than likely need check-ups from professionals through their journey.

Helping the person back into treatment is the right thing to do if a family member has relapsed.

Remind them that they have your support, and you are there to help them take the actions needed to recover. Try to abstain from making compromises, interventions, or removing all supports entirely.

Keep appropriate boundaries for yourself and other loved ones and try not to overextend to the point of distress for yourself, as your self-care is important as well.

The choices and actions you take will break the stigma of relapse the person is feeling and help them return to a healthy lifestyle.

Author: Dr. Evan Espinosa PSY D. is a Clinical Psychologist at Recovia, an addiction treatment center in Tempe, Arizona.

This press release was produced by Dr. Evan Espinosa, PSY D.. The views expressed here are the author’s own.