Essay About Relapse

567 Words3 Pages
{Fast Index Page} It is not possible to stress enough that relapse for the alcoholic/addict is a life and death question. Any relapse is a gamble with death. One or two drinks or drugs inevitably leads back to massive drinking/using within a short period. People who relapse can often die from accidents, overdose, suicide or medical problems. For example, if you have a damaged liver, your liver will return automatically -and not gradually- to the level of damage it was at when you were drinking. Some people are lucky to halt the relapse quickly (a lapse), but any (re)lapse is a mortal danger, which at the very least causes psychological pain and at worst can lead to a path from which there is no return. Having said that, we have to face the reality that relapse is an ever-present threat and part of the general recovery process for the majority of us. Many alcoholics and addicts experience one or more relapses before achieving a lasting sobriety. A minority manage to have none at all. The best policy is learn from those who have never relapsed, AS WELL AS those who have relapsed, about how to guard against and avoid a relapse. Having no relapse is the best scenario for all of us and while accepting the reality of its potential we should…show more content…
But, in order to do this, we need to understand and accept that we are alcoholics/addicts and can NEVER drink or use again. However, we also need to realise that years of chemical dependency and learned habitual behaviours have programmed our bodies and minds to react instinctively to emotions, feelings and situations by drinking/using. Many people who relapse say that when they took the first drinks/drugs, it seemed that they were on « automatic pilot », as though they were in a film and couldn’t even seem to watch themselves disinterestedly from outside as they walked in the bar, opened the bottle or reached for the
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