These Links will help to explain what the relapse warning signs are telling us and what we should do about them :

What is meant by relapse? 

My definition of relapse may differ from others because I see the relapse mode or cycle as not necessarily a return to drinking or using but a definite mental state. For example one can be in a relapse mode and not drink or use any drugs at all. Or in a relapse cycle for weeks, months even years abstaining successfully throughout.. If not interrupted though - this state of mind progressively deteriates and inevitably results in using or drinking again. Those who are experiencing what AA calls 'white knuckle sobriety' will know what I mean.
If you think you are in a relapse mode or cycle email me anytime john.connery@dnet.co.uk with questions or problems that worry you - I can assure you of strict confidentiality and if I can't supply you with an answer I know someone who can.


 
 
 
  


 
 
 

The Time Factor

We have spent much time and money in perfecting our own individual means of escape whether it be drinking - drug taking or an obsessional behaviour of some sort - and it is not something that we can just un-learn overnight. Remember in many cases the actual addictive behaviour is the result of other underlying defects which will take time to identify and change. So time, although a great healer, on it's own is not enough, we need to work towards experiencing life differently from the one that we needed so badly to escape from.
If you think you are in a relapse mode or cycle email me anytime john.connery@dnet.co.uk with questions or problems that worry you - I can assure you of strict confidentiality and if I can't supply you with an answer I know someone who can.


 

The Pain of Living

Having gone through the list of warning signs it is very likely that you have experienced or are experiencing two or three of them for yourself . Maybe they have helped you to make a list of your own - but whatever the source, experiencing a relapse mode can be unpleasant and negative to say the least. Described by many as 'the pain of living' these seemingly small insignificant problems appear huge and insurmountable to the recovering person.
If you think you are in a relapse mode or cycle email me anytime john.connery@dnet.co.uk with questions or problems that worry you - I can assure you of strict confidentiality and if I can't supply you with an answer I know someone who can.


 

 

Learn From Relapse Without a Slip

Many Psychologists say that all human experience is positive and enriching even if it feels negative and painful at the time. Hence sayings like 'no pain no gain' or ' there's no growth without conflict' and so on. In situations like relapse mode this is certainly the case. But consider this - why wait to learn after the slip when the information is all right here and being experienced right now. Most people don't learn from slips because they were focused on slipping and not any other mental process that may be going on at the time. Having had the slip it becomes difficult to recall anything other than the compulsion to drink or use so in a sense the moment and the opportunity has been lost for ever.. 
If you think you are in a relapse mode or cycle email me anytime john.connery@dnet.co.uk with questions or problems that worry you - I can assure you of strict confidentiality and if I can't supply you with an answer I know someone who can.


 

Relapse Warning Signs and Abstinence Therapy

The dynamics of abstinence based therapy makes good use of relapse warning signs. As the addicted person experiences them they become very real and very much part of the sessional counselling work. As the addict's chemical crutch disappears into the distant past, the feelings and emotions that were before suppressed by the substance are now examined and discussed safely within the containment and confidentiality of the counselling session. 
If you think you are in a relapse mode or cycle email me anytime john.connery@dnet.co.uk with questions or problems that worry you - I can assure you of strict confidentiality and if I can't supply you with an answer I know someone who can.


 

Bend Me! - Shape Me!

Each individual has different warning signs - a unique problem or set of problems that seem to surface during the early to middle stages of abstinence. Nobody escapes these - no matter how self aware we proclaim to be.

If our objective is not to shape a personality change for ourselves that takes us away from the addicted person inside, we will continue to experience the mental turmoil of the relapse mode. For most the madness of "white knuckle sobriety"is no worse or better than the madness of the addiction itself.
If you think you are in a relapse mode or cycle email me anytime john.connery@dnet.co.uk with questions or problems that worry you - I can assure you of strict confidentiality and if I can't supply you with an answer I know someone who can.


 

Lets' Get Focused

But there is hope - encoded within these warning signs is the vital information that we need to address the problem. Hidden and trying desperately to be understood are the clues that will eventually help us to solve the dilemmas of onset and maintenance. During abstinence the opportunity to focus on these clues becomes real - probably for the first time in the individual's life. This focused therapeutic counselling is where it all happens - where the foundations are laid for change - the start of a new beginning.
If you think you are in a relapse mode or cycle email me anytime john.connery@dnet.co.uk with questions or problems that worry you - I can assure you of strict confidentiality and if I can't supply you with an answer I know someone who can.

john.connery@dnet.co.uk :