Relapse Justification And Addiction

Why People Relapse And The Most Common Reasons

Relapse justification is a series of excuses made by someone trying to explain or rationalize a return to substance use. They do this to convince themselves – and family members – that using drugs or alcohol is a normal activity.

But the reality is that these thoughts help them avoid taking responsibility for their own actions. They turn what could have been a moment of awareness into a red flag, triggering past struggles.

At Purpose Healing Center, we understand that the substance use disorder recovery process can be long and hard-fought. It’s not uncommon for stress, guilt, or unresolved trauma to cause someone to deny the seriousness of their situation.

This post will help you recognize and address the specific behaviors of a relapse. Early detection from a trusted loved one or friend can mean the difference between sticking to healthy habits or backsliding into old behaviors.

Understanding Relapse Justification in Addiction

A relapse doesn’t start with a fleeting thought. Instead, it begins with a pattern of self-talk that reinforces negative emotions and makes substance use seem acceptable. Relapse justification often occurs when someone allows stress or emotional pain to filter out all other considerations for sobriety.

An example of this is ‘Deonte,’ a former Purpose client. After completing treatment at a Phoenix suboxone clinic, he felt a strong sense of confidence in his recovery. Things went well for about a year. But after one especially stressful week, he told himself that he deserved to party with old friends just once. He told himself he’d stop using the next day.

Within 3 months, Deonte had a full-blown relapse. Fortunately, the health insurance at his job covered partial hospitalization programs at Purpose, where he worked on refining his coping strategies. Today, Deonte is back at his job, happy, and enjoying sobriety. He’s no longer in denial about his disease and has learned to avoid triggering situations.

What Situations Cause People to Relapse?

Relapses can happen for a host of reasons. They often come from:

• Unresolved trauma
• Untreated dual diagnosis concerns
• Lack of aftercare planning or ongoing counseling services
• Too little support or not attending support groups
• Job or career loss
• Financial pressure
• Relationship strain

Primarily, justification is a frequent defense mechanism used by individuals during addiction and early recovery when faced with responsibility.

There’s not a single event that will trigger cravings or relapse in every individual. For many, it’s an accumulation of several factors. But relapse doesn’t equal failure; it just means the person needs to learn different strategies to cope with the stress of everyday life without reverting to substances.

Mental Health and Its Role in Relapse

Untreated mental health conditions can play an outsized role in relapse risk. Substance use disorder is a disease often worsened by anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental or emotional health issues.

Relapse is a consequence that can happen when people receive care only for the physical symptoms of the addiction without receiving support for these co-occurring disorders.

How High-Risk Situations Can Trigger Relapse

People recovering from a substance use disorder (SUD) are at risk of returning to old patterns as a response to stress during early recovery. Risky situations range from attending a wedding reception with an open bar to hanging out with friends still involved in substance use.

The sights and sounds the brain associates with the rewards of use can bring strong cravings or an intense desire to use. Even things that seem harmless, like driving past a favorite corner where the drug dealer sells, can decrease a person’s ability to handle triggers.

Loss of control can develop quickly once the brain starts to head down this dangerous road. Justifications lull the mind, deceiving it into thinking things are ok – even when they’re not.

A Strong Support System Is Key to Staying Sober

Having a reliable support system impacts the effectiveness of a recovery plan. Sober friends, family, and 12-step sponsors provide accountability, encouragement, and motivation during the toughest moments. They can sometimes notice changes in emotional stability or behaviors that could be relapse warning signs. Building these vital connections is a key part of long-term recovery.

It’s also worth mentioning that AA, NA or CA 12-step meetings and SMART Recovery are also important. Recovery meetings provide a judgment-free space where one interacts with peers who have had to deal with similar challenges. They are happy to share your wins and positive emotions, but they’ll also be there to call you out when you’re in denial about your addiction.

Addiction Recovery as an Ongoing Journey

Completing an addiction treatment program isn’t the end of the line when recovering from an addiction to alcohol or other substances. The lifelong process of recovery is an evolution that takes place over many years. There are several stages, from early adjustment to long-term maintenance. Each stage indeed has its challenges.

But each also offers unique growth opportunities, like learning to meditate and focus on staying present instead of anger or finding productive, satisfying hobbies instead of letting boredom lead to substance use..

Healthy Coping Mechanisms to Support Long-Term Sobriety

Boredom can lead individuals to believe that using substances again can provide excitement and a rush that is missing in sobriety. It’s essential to replace reliance on substances with healthier coping strategies to manage the impact of stress on life. Some helpful strategies that can reduce cravings are:

• Exercise
• Meditation
• Journaling and self-reflection exercises help with early identification of relapse warning signs
• Playing an instrument or listening to calm music
• Spending time outdoors

These outlets enhance one’s life and can help resist the desire to use when those temptations hit.

Common Negative Triggers That Lead to Relapse

Triggers can be internal or external. Internal triggers leading to substance abuse and justifications for relapse include resentment, boredom, or loneliness – things that come from within. Examples of external triggers are financial strain, a high-pressure workplace, or family conflict.

These can lead to justification of a relapse if the person doesn’t have the tools to cope with the anger and physical symptoms of stress, but internalizes them instead.

Early Warning Signs Before a Relapse

The thoughts of relapse start before the behaviors. Common warning signs are:

• Withdrawing from sober friends
• Skipping support groups
• Romanticizing past substance abuse
• Neglecting self-care
• A sense of secrecy
• Planning to use again
• Mood swings

For example, feeling anger or resentment can be a primary cause of relapse and can overwhelm the individual. Catching it early, before the person uses substances, makes it possible to adjust their strategies and stay rooted in sobriety.

Moving Forward After a Relapse at Purpose Healing Center

A relapse feels discouraging. But it doesn’t erase the progress already made. Purpose Healing Center offers locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale that provide JCAHO-accredited treatment programs.

And we realize that a relapse simply means a weak point in someone’s recovery or aftercare plan. Our role is to find that weakness, reinforce it, and change the behavior moving forward.

If you’re ready to let go of the justifications for a relapse and make real gains, we’re here to help. Call us confidentially today for the extra support you need.