Yes I have relapsed many times. I will say what gnarly said is true. NA meetings are helping me tremendously right now! I'm beginning to understand this addiction thing a little more now.
thanks for your input on this guys...I just hate to see people beat themselves up and get more depressed because they either slipped or full blown relapsed...just wanted to point out that it, in some ways, seems to part of the process, you know? i did slip more than a few times before recovery began to stick..
I always say I relapsed for 2 1/2 years before it stuck. Looking back and realizing how long it takes to detox from methadone, I never really relapsed, because I never really quit. I merely took breaks and never actually recovered. I am of the school of thought that using a drug is the final stage of relapse. I can feel myself having a relapse and use my tools and support to bring me out of it. My mental/emotional relapses are rough, but nothing like active addiction. Knowing the signs of relapse, before using, and identifying triggers helps prevent thT final stage, using.
Hi well for me relapse was hard it takes away everything you have worked ofr for me N/A was the answer it is a free program that works just because your off the pills does not take away from the fact that your a addict it will pounce on you the first time your feeling weak those that go to meeting tend to stay clean so get to a meeting get a sponcer and work the 12 steps it truly will set you free......Gnarly
I was a chronic relapser for many years....addicted to relapsing. I wouldn't say its normal to relapse...more that its very unfortunate. People can get clean on the first go round if they do the work and hit the right program for them. Personally, it took me many years to find what works for me.
"Relapse" is used in the medical profession pertaining to other diseases. For example, when one has Hep C and successfully clears the virus during treatment but does not have a sustained virological response, he or she is then clinically classified as a "relapse". This also pertains to other illnesses.
However, in the substance abuse field, depending on what model of addiction you practice (disease, psychological, biopsychosocial, ect) the term relapse is only used when an addict uses a substance and then continues using it. If an addict only uses the substance once and then gets back on track right away, it can be clinically classified as a"slip". But then like I said, that depends on what model the program/clinician uses.