Online Rehab

1 min read

Warning signs of a relapse

A relapse usually starts long before you actually use. If you know the signs, you can step in early.

A relapse often starts in how you feel. You sleep worse, get irritable, go to your group less or stop doing your morning check-in. Then come the thoughts: once can't hurt, I've got it under control now.

The last stage is behavior: you seek out situations where the substance is, you talk to old contacts or you withdraw cash. The sooner you step in, the easier it is.

Write down your own warning signs. What do you notice in yourself when things are going less well? Also ask someone who knows you well what they notice. Agree that they may tell you.

Notice the signs? Then do more of what helps: a meeting, a conversation, your daily routine, sleep. And tell someone.