Relapse in Drug Addiction - Assignment Example

Addiction Affiliation Addiction Relapse in drug addiction is described as a situation where a person who has been sober for some time returns to the use of drugs and alcohol. Relapse does not matter whether the individual has been sober for months, weeks or years in case a person returns to the use of substances that are held illegal and harmful to their health them they are referred to as relapse. A slip, on the other hand, illustrates a situation where a person briefly goes back to the use of drug use or alcohol, but manages to stop using before they go back to addiction. This situation occurs when an individual picks up their habits again, but they later regret their decision automatically. Relapse can be handles in case the client has established that there is a clear plan to deal with the situation; hence, making it easier to manage after it has happened. In the case of a slip, there is recurrence of behavior where the individual attempts to change but keeps on engaging in problem behavior (Lowinson, 2005). Therefore, it is clear that a slip is less serious than a relapse because in the case of a relapse a person goes back to their former addiction. The prevalence of men relapse is more than that of women this is because staying sober requires that a person have outside support where in the case of women they are likely to seek group counselling. Additionally, people who are isolated by the addiction process need contact from other in order to give them moral support. By so doing, they help them with drug or alcohol relapse prevention plans, as well as, reducing stress and depression as they associate with other people. It has been established when individuals who have addiction issues develop friendship with people who do not encourage their behavior they avoid relapsing (Marlatt & Donovan, 2008). Additionally, having anonymous source of communication and support plays a vital role in ensuring that that the individual has a person to encourage him or her in changing their behavior. Various warning signs that help in knowing that a person has relapsed. They include sudden relapse where there are emotional triggers, physical change and social situations where an individual withdraws from their friends and family. A person may also relapse is they have lost a loved one in a tragic death or illness. Additionally, major changes in financial situations may also lead to a person relapsing, as well as, change in employment. Change in marital status such as when a person is going through a divorce can be a major warning sign for relapse as in most instances people are stressed by the thought of being alone. In addition, to warning signs there are various cues that can detect that a person is about to relapse, and they include sudden lifestyle change such as ending a relationship or losing a job. Secondly, a person may spend more time with friends who still abuse alcohol and drugs as well as hang out in places where the drugs and alcohol are being abused. Thirdly, the individual may avoid the needed support from support groups, friends and family. Lastly, the individuals may change their routine and neglect dealing with their personal problems. Several methods have been devised that can be used to help patients to avoid from relapsing. They include identifying the high-risk triggers or situations such as issues at job and social events (Cherniss, Adler & Goleman, 2000). The individuals should be encouraged to reconnect with their family, as well as, rebuilding their social networks. The client should be encouraged to develop plans to avoid or minimize and cope with the triggers. The counsellor should focus on the client successes and refer or address for the comorbid issues. The client should be encourage to visit AA meetings, as they have been associated with reducing relapse. CBT has also been held to be a good strategy from relapse prevention because it focuses on teaching the client refusal skills. Additionally, it focuses on teaching the client on coping with what triggers their cravings or internal triggers such as stress, anger and negative moods. The steps for making a referral to a counselor or an AA meeting include listening to the listen carefully as they describe how they feel when they want to relapse. Asking some questions in order to clarify and make the client see that a person understands their specific needs. Asking the client whether they are comfortable with being referred to that resource center and if they say knows ask the reasons for their refusal politely without coercing them. In case the client is not comfortable with the resource center chosen, other options may be given by doing a research on other available resources depending on the client’s needs. A person may ask the colleagues to help in coming up with ideas if the situation proves to be difficult. If it is possible, the counselor should take the patient to the new referral center to ensure that they are well acquainted with the place, as well as, make them feel comfortable in the first day of the visit because they can see a familiar face (Blume, 2005). A file should also be sent to the referral center to ensure that they understand the progress of the patient; hence, ensuring that the patient does not relapse. Follow-ups should be made on the patient, as well as, constant communication to ensure that the patient attends their session. By so doing, the client will see that the counselor is concerned making them feel encouraged. There are four key stages of management for substance abuse, and they include Level I, which is the outpatient treatment that contains an organized nonresidential management service that has addiction professionals and clinicians that give professional directed alcohol and other drug treatment. Level II is the intensive outpatient treatment, which contains partial hospitalization same as Level I, but the difference is that there, is partial hospitalization. There is monitored intensive inpatient management, which is the third level and treatment that is conducted by organized service where the level of care include 24-hour observation. Lastly, there is the medically monitored intensive inpatient treatment that provides a planned regimen that is given around the clock and is directly evaluated by the professionals, in care and treatment. The factors that are considered in naming a referral are that the client must be willing to attend the resource center to get help. Secondly, there must be moral and asocial support from the family, as well as, emotional support to avoid relapse. Two obstacles have been established that can lead to ineffective treatment and they include lack of acceptance that the individual has a problem and being around people who constantly abuse drugs and alcohol. References Blume, A. W. (2005). Treating drug problems. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley. Cherniss, C., Adler, M., & Goleman, D. (2000). Promoting Emotional Intelligence in Organizations. Alexandria: American Society for Training & Development. Lowinson, J. H. (2005). Substance abuse: A comprehensive textbook. Philadelphia, Penns: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Marlatt, G. A., & Donovan, D. M. (2008). Relapse prevention: Maintenance strategies in the treatment of addictive behaviors. New York: Guilford. Read More