When an individual decides to enter rehab, he or she is making a lifelong commitment to maintain sobriety. Once in rehab, substance abusers learn that recovery isn’t a destination, but a life-long journey, one that they must learn to navigate to avoid the danger of a relapse.

The Relapse Process

The warning signs of a return to addiction can be better understood in the context of a relapse process, which usually begins inside the individual’s mind long before they actually relapse:

The individual stops making progress in recovery, which can happen they are faced with a challenge they feel unable or unwilling to deal with….

They then try to ignore the signs that they have stopped making progress…

The lack of progress begins to make life uncomfortable; the individual turns to poor coping mechanisms to deal with this…the frustration and internal discomfort continue to bubble away internally…

A trigger event provides the opportunity for this internal discomfort to rise to the surface.

Addiction is a disease, right?

In today’s “now” society, many of us are looking for a quick solution to a problem. Addiction is a disease, right? Isn’t there a medication that can cure it?

While it is true that medication during treatment can help reduce cravings and withdrawal, addiction recovery requires the rewiring of the brain and medication alone is not enough. Addiction is more than just physical dependence. Even after detox and physical dependence is cured, addicts are at high risk for relapse. Psychological and social factors are often powerful factors which can trigger relapse. Things such as the following can create ongoing urges to use drugs or alcohol:

Individual treatment plans, like the ones designed for each guest at the 12 Palms Recovery Center in Jensen Beach, involve substantial one-on-one time with an experienced counselor, among other proven techniques.

An intervention can be a powerful tool a family can use to encourage someone who is abusing drugs or alcohol to seek the treatment they need. However, a poorly executed intervention can actually make matters worse. Here are 5 things not to do during an intervention.

1. Don’t plan an intervention without a professional.

Television shows glamorize interventions and have put them in the spotlight. However, it is important that you don’t move forward with an intervention without contacting an experienced interventionist. A professional can help ensure that you create a safe environment and give you the best chance at a successful outcome.

2. Don’t wing it.

A successful intervention is never spontaneous. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to choose a time and a place for the intervention to take place. It is important that everyone involved plan what they want to say and agree upon the goal and consequences if the addict does not agree to get help.

Prescriptions for Opioids, or Painkillers

Over the past 20 years, prescriptions for opioids, or painkillers, has increased more than tenfold. And, not surprisingly, painkiller addiction has also tripled in just the last decade alone. While you may think these drugs are not as dangerous as “illegal” drugs, the truth is, according to Centers for Disease Control, painkillers kill twice as many people as cocaine and five times as many as heroin.

High Risk of Addiction

Opioids, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and meperidine (Demerol) are among the most powerful painkillers available. Originally designed to treat severe acute pain, such as following surgery, opioids are being increasingly used to treat chronic conditions such as arthritis, migraines, or back pain. This is highly controversial, however, because opioids target the the same brain receptors as heroin and carry a high risk of addiction.