What is Chronic Relapse?

Successful addiction treatment can be short and relatively straightforward or it can be long and complicated, depending on many factors. One deciding factor is the active participation, determination and strength on the part of the addict during each and every stage of the detox and recovery program that has been specifically chosen for them. There are times, however, that the patient can have what is known as a relapse, where they stray back into their old lifestyle and bad habits. This is a common occurrence and part of the learning experience on the road to a successful recovery. Frequent relapses are commonly referred to as chronic relapse.

Chronic relapse, regarding drug and alcohol addiction treatment, is a situation where the patient consistently returns to their substance abuse habit, undoing all the efforts that have been made to get them on the right path to recovery and often inflicting more damage on himself than before. Relapses are common during addiction treatment programs, often at times where the patient feels particularly isolated or place themselves straight back into their old lifestyle, leading to a higher possibility of using again. Although this situation is definitely not desirable, it is regarded as a part of the road to recovery; a learning mechanism. The extreme version of relapse is known as chronic relapse and can have potentially devastating effects on the progress of any addiction treatment program that is being, or has been, undertaken, not to mention the disappointment felt by the patient’s family and friends.

Chronic relapse can occur for a number of reasons. For example, the patient may find it too difficult or may be unable to extract himself from his location, thereby being vulnerable to old social circles, lifestyles, socialising situations, employment circumstances and isolation, to name but a few. So, as soon as the patient leaves the protective and supportive atmosphere of the drug or alcohol addiction treatment and detox center, they feel unable to cope on their own and lapse easily back to using again.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to prevent chronic relapse from occurring. The addiction treatment specialists must first analyse the user’s background, personality and type and intensity of addiction as these factors will determine the type of addiction treatment that will be required for the best chance of a successful recovery. They will also determine if the patient is more vulnerable to certain situations or circumstances that could lead to relapse or chronic relapse. Certain disorders would be taken into account, such as depression, narcolepsy, extreme stress and violent tendencies to ensure the chances of relapse are kept to an absolute minimum. The detox process must also be effective, thorough and complete as any traces of the drug or by-products that are left behind as a result of incomplete detox could trigger a relapse after the addiction treatment process has been completed. It is also important to look for a drug and alcohol drug rehab center that offers voluntary or mandatory periodical check-ins and counselling sessions where the patient can talk about any weaknesses they may have encountered and work towards a full and relapse-free recovery.