Drug addiction patients after successful treatment can abstain from the use of the drugs for quite some time but may have the tendency to take or use the drugs again. This is called a relapse. This is common among drug and alcohol addiction patients. There are many factors which contribute to relapse and they vary in degree. Some patients can overcome relapse faster than others depending on the determination and support they have.
Relapse due to withdrawal signs
For long time abusers, quitting is really difficult and painful. The drugs have taken great control of the person's will and abstaining from it can lead to severe negative physical effects. Mild drug addicts who usually self medicate by abstaining from drugs or alcohol often find themselves back to their old habits after a short time. The pain and discomfort associated with withdrawal are factors that push a drug addict back to his old habits.
Family history
Drug addiction patients who belong to a family with a history of drug addiction have higher tendencies for relapse since their environment doesn't support an alcohol or drug free lifestyle. Parents, relatives and other members of the family may not be sensitive to a patient's struggle to abstain from addiction and may cause the halt to change. Some drug rehabilitation programs include family members in the whole treatment process so that they can reach out and help their loved one who wishes to change his life and make it better.
Lack of follow-up
Some patients after a period of abstinence may feel confident about their changed lifestyle and they don't worry about drug abuse anymore but at some point, temptations of social events for alcohol drinking or the presence of drugs induce cravings. Those who undergo drug rehabilitation requirement for example go through it under a certain period of time. After which, as the individual has lived a drug free life, there's already leniency and lesser follow-up from counselors. When this happens and patients move out to another area, tendency for relapse can occur. Some individuals go back to little drinking or drug intake again. Counselors from drug treatment programs should be mindful of their patients' transfer of address so that referrals can be made to other facilities for follow up.
Relapse is always considered in the treatment plan of drug abuse. Some patients are given medication as part of detoxification in order to reduce withdrawal effects and further cases of relapse. As one patient is different from another, seeking professional help must be done to prevent relapse.
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Written by Ericka Lopez. To learn more tips on http://www.treatmentcentersdirectory.com/California/Fremont/, visit drug treatment in Pittsburgh
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