Why Do People Relapse While Being Treated for Addictions Disorders?

1
Why do people relapse while being treated for
addictions disorders?

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2
Recovering from addictions disorders is often a
lifelong process and journey with successes and
setbacks.

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  905-319-1488

3
The important thing to remember when having a
setback is to get back up, and continue on with
your counselling, therapy, and rehabilitation
treatment. Throughout this journey it is not
uncommon to encounter various triggers and
cravings that could result in a relapse.

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4
What Causes Triggers?Triggers are caused by our
memories of our prior behaviours that resulted in
our additions. Triggers can arise due to any of
the followingStressAnxietyEmotionsFeelings

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5
EventsLocationsSpecific Days of the
WeekSpecific Dates or Times of the
YearPeopleSoundsTastesSmells

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6
During addictions disorder counselling and
therapy, part of the recovery process involves
learning and discovering what your triggers aand
re and how to develop effective coping mechanisms
skills.

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7
How Are Triggers Related to Cravings?Cravings
is a general term used to describe the desire to
engage in the addictive behaviour that led to
your addiction.

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8
Triggers are the initial occurrences that can
lead to cravings or the desire to give in to the
addiction. For instance, if you are dealing with
alcoholism, the smell of your favorite alcoholic
beverage could be a trigger. This could then
result in a craving to drink.

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9
Why Do Cravings Occur?With addictions
disorders, the chemistry of the brain and area
that signify pleasure, happiness, and other
responses are changed and altered during the
period of addiction.

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10
This results in the addictive behaviour being
preferred over other things that we used to enjoy
prior to the addiction.

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11
Do Cravings Go Away?Cravings will not easily go
away on their own. This is why you need to
develop the appropriate coping mechanisms and
skills.

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12
Cravings tend to start out with the occasional
thought about engaging in your addictive
behaviour. If you do not deal with it at this
stage, it can continue to become stronger and
stronger.

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13
As the craving starts to strengthen, you can find
your mind wandering and returning to thoughts
about the craving.

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Eventually, you start to think about the pros and
cons of engaging in the behavior. You might also
start to bargain with yourself, like telling
yourself it is okay to give in just this once.

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15
You may even start to tell yourself a minor
relapse is okay since all recovering addicts have
them. Finally, you will get to the point
emotionally, physically, and mentally you can no
longer resist the temptation of the craving, so
you do give in.

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16
For addicts, giving into a craving is not as
simple as engaging in the behaviour once.
Depending on how strong the craving was and your
prior addiction, you could find that you start to
slip up more and more frequently. Stopping again
could be even harder than the first time.

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However, if you have a strong support system in
place and have developed coping mechanisms, it is
possible to deal with cravings so they do not
result in a relapse.

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  905-319-1488

18
If you are struggling with cravings, need help
identifying triggers, and want to learn how to
develop coping mechanisms, Bayridge Counselling
Centres are here to help. Call us at 905-319-1488
now! Source http//www.bayridgecounsellingcentr
es.ca/why-do-people-relapse-while-being-treated-fo
r-addictions-disorders/ 

• www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca
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