Thousands of people battle with drug addiction, all across the country, every single day. Where it used to be relatively absent, or not talked about in mainstream society today it is part of the zytguiest. It seems just about every day another celebrity is checking themselves into a drug rehab program and the media is there to document it all. Middle America housewives are addicting to methamphetamines. Millions of people every year use cocaine. Although there are hundred of clinics and drug rehab centers across the United States we at NO RELAPSE believe that many of them are turn-key profit centers that benefit off of relapse financially. We've created this site to inform addicts and their families about relapse prevention and help direct business to those centers that we believe are most careful in regards to relapse and relapse prevention.

Some say it’s impossible to fully cure someone of addiction and all that can be done for them is treatment. For the most part, this is true. It is this thinking that keeps people in support groups, in clinics, and on prescription drugs for sometomes entire lifetimes. It’s often compared to treating asthma or diabetes in that neither ever goes away completely. However, treatment is proven to reduce drug use by 40 to 60 percent. The first step is stopping usage of the drug, and this is generally the hardest part, though drug relapse prevention can prove equally as challenging.

To quit abusing drugs, one must first want to. It’s a tough process, depending on the level of dependency to the drug in question and can often have very adverse physical effects. This is referred to as withdrawal and can be anything from headaches and depression, to vomiting and delirium tremens. Many people actually die from dehydration or malnutrition because of drug withdrawals every year. It’s not something one wants to do on their own, so people often seek the support of others such as relapse prevention treatment and drug support groups (Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous). These support systems are in place to not only provide those battling drug addiction with the means in which to help themselves, but also to provide a community and sense of belonging. Oftentimes they’ll feel alone and separated from the rest of society. Seeing that there are others like them, going through the same hardships and having the same problems as they are, helps addicts through this tough time of weaning themselves off of drugs.

Rehab clinics / Drug Treatment Programs are commonly for those trying to kick their drug habit in one extended stay. Within these clinics are the means and staff to make sure that those going through withdrawals are of no danger to others or themselves. Support groups are more often for those that have already kicked their substance abuse to an extent. Support centers for relapse and prevention can be found everywhere, often right in plain view with nobody knowing they’re there. Support groups generally meet on evenings during the week so as to not interfere with the daily lives of those that attend. These groups are often 12 step programs, are generally spiritual in nature, and ultimately lead to trying to reach out and help others afflicted with the same addictions. Many of these addiction recovery groups require its attendees to have a sponsor. Sponsors are those that have been going through the relapse prevention process for some time, and are there to help the newcomers through their long and difficult road to recovery. The road to recovery does not end here, however, for a relapse could occur at any time.

A Relapse prevention plan is the key to a happy and healthy life without drugs. For one to successfully integrate back into regular society and function as a productive member of society, they need to ensure that they do not relapse. A relapse is when one is affected by something that has previous afflicted them in the past. In the case of drug use, it is when one who has previously broken their habit of drug abuse that they use the substance they were addicted to again. Studies have shown that the longer one stays abstinent from drugs or alcohol, the less likely they are to relapse. Relapsing can be very dangerous and have horrible outcomes.

Substance abuse relapse prevention is not just the concept of trying to maintain continued abstinence from drug use, it is also a psychotherapy treatment used to teach people how to identify and control their lifestyle problems that can lead to relapse. This therapy consists of cognitive therapy, lifestyle modification, and coping skills training.

It is said that there are three stages to relapse: emotional, mental, and physical. Emotional relapse will take place first, and consists of having feelings that are not directly related to using drugs. This could be anything from insomnia to mood swings. If these are identified and dealt with quickly enough, then prevention of relapse is almost assured. This is the easiest stage to deal with. With mental relapse, the former user will begin to think about the drug they used to take. Oftentimes they will believe they’ll be able to control themselves. An example of this is the, “Just one drink,” thought, in which the addict believes that they’ll only have one drink and it will end there. A good technique to dealing with this stage of relapse is to think it all the way through. In this case, think about if it really ends with, “just one drink.” Most of the time it will not, and the addict will realize this. This is a great example of alcohol relapse prevention. If it is caught at this stage, it is a bit more difficult to deal with the urges. If they’re not dealt with, they lead to the third stage of relapse, physical relapse. Physical relapse is characterized by physically going to area that one used to use drugs or alcohol in, such as a bar, or a dealer’s home. When this type of relapse hits, it is near impossible to deter. For this reason, addiction relapse prevention focuses mainly on dealing with the first two stages.

The following is a list of some other warning signs and possible catalysts for relapse:

This final one is very important. If a former addict fails or refuses to seek help, then they will almost certainly relapse. Relapse prevention treatment only works for those who truly desire to rid themselves of their drug habits.

Some choose to use medication in their relapse prevention plans. Drugs such as methadone and buprenorphine are used to treat people addicted to opiates. These drugs are themselves highly addictive, but when administered correctly, have shown to be tremendously helpful with weaning people off of substances such as opium, morphine, oxycodone, and even heroin. Some medications used to treat alcohol addiction are topiramate, disulfiram, and acamprosate. Acamprosate and topiramate help by reducing the urge to drink, while disulfiram produces adverse effects to the user’s body when alcohol is ingested. The drug iogaine has been shown to interrupt the addictive impulse in one’s brain. While it is currently not approved by the FDA, it is being studied and scrutinized for its effects on nicotine, cocaine, and heroin users. So far, it has shown to have some dangerous side effects, which have resulted in some deaths. There is, however, 18-methoxycoronaridine, an iogaine analogue, which has shown comparable results in battling addiction, with far less severe side effects. The FDA has yet to approve this drug for consumer use.

Alcohol relapse prevention and drug relapse prevention is no part-time affair. If a user is serious about seeking help, they will find the help they need. But if they cannot truly commit to wanting to be free of their drug habits, then it is, sadly, a lost cause. Drug addiction and relapse prevention comes down to a want to get better, the support of loved ones and like-minded individuals, and a conscious effort to staying abstinent from drugs or alcohol. There are many websites and toll-free numbers that will offer help to any who need it. Support groups meet every day of the week, so there is no reason that anyone looking for help should not be able to find it. If an addict wants to try and change their life for the better, they can and should. Admitting one has an addiction is the first step to getting better and leading a happy and healthy life.