The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that between 40 and 60 percent of those receiving treatment for substance use disorders will experience a relapse at some time throughout their recovery. These rates are comparable to those of other chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure (ranging from 50 to 70 percent) and asthma (50 to 70 percent). In the context of beating an addiction, some circumstances, such as experiencing a difficult life event while lacking the ability to cope with the stress, can combine to produce the ideal conditions for a relapse. Clinical studies have revealed that the physiological impacts of stress on the brain have a significant influence on a person's propensity to respond by engaging in substance addiction.
People who are under a great deal of emotional stress, for instance, are less likely to be able to control their impulses and may have a more difficult time delaying the satisfaction they desire. 3 Additionally, the volume of gray matter in the region of the brain that is related with cognitive control and stress management is reduced when someone is under chronic stress. The portion of the prefrontal cortex of the brain that is responsible for participating in the deliberate understanding and analysis of a situation almost completely shuts down whenever the brain is exposed to stress. As a consequence of this, the brain of a stressed individual lacks the ability to develop reflective conduct, and the stressed individual is much more prone to turn to substance misuse or alcohol consumption as a means of coping with the pressures of daily life. 3 According to research done, some cues or signals can reactivate seeking or wanting behaviors that are associated with substances like alcohol and narcotics.
4 The following are some of the most prevalent triggers that might cause a person in recovery to go back into old habits: You may be experiencing a lot of distressing thoughts and feelings right now as a drug user who has recently kicked their habit. At this point in the process, you may have feelings of motivation and hope, but it is also possible that you will feel some level of despair, guilt, shame, rage, and loneliness. These feelings are perfectly natural and an essential component of human existence.
However, navigating through them can be quite challenging at times. Many women, especially in the early phases of the recovery process, are afraid of receiving help for their addiction for the same reasons. They are concerned that their family will fall apart if they are not there, or that they will not be able to care for their children. Rather than understanding that addiction is a problem in and of itself, many women believe that their addiction is merely a social habit or that it is simply the result of anxiety, mental stress, or despair. These beliefs prevent them from acknowledging that addiction is a problem.
It can be difficult for women to seek help for substance misuse problems for a variety of reasons, including the fear of being embarrassed and concerns about their finances. 1 According to research, nearly half of persons who have a problem with substance use also have a mental disease. Some of the most frequent mental illnesses are anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and antisocial personality disorder. Although it is well knowledge that mental illness and addiction frequently go hand in hand, it is also possible that many women have undetected mental health issues, which can increase the likelihood of self-medication and relapse. Call our admissions staff right now in order to get more information about the residential programs that we provide for women in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
These feelings, such as boredom, anxiety, despair, and rage, can all make one feel uncomfortable. People need to discover healthy strategies to cope with these sensations if they want to avoid falling back into old habits. If a woman is experiencing difficulties in her marriage, she may find it challenging to maintain her sobriety because women are more likely than men to relapse as a result of unpleasant feelings and difficulties in their relationships. Because studies have shown that women are more likely than men to relapse as a result of negative emotions and interpersonal conflicts, addiction treatment that does not provide effective training on how to deal with negative emotions and interpersonal conflicts may not adequately equip women who are recovering from addiction to prevent relapse.
Many homes for sober people also encourage family participation through family therapy, which will improve communication between loved ones, prepare everyone for their possible return home, and minimize stress and triggers caused by problems at home. In fact, women are less likely than men to relapse, in part because they tend to participate more in group therapy, but there are still certain aspects of a woman's life that may pose a risk to leading a sober life. After leaving rehab and returning home or to a sober living program, all people in recovery will face several triggers that can lead to a relapse. Women enrolled in a residential program such as ATC are less likely to relapse because they have access to a range of recovery support services, meaningful relationships with their peers and counselors, and a great deal of structure in their lives.
