Chronic Relapses in Lexington, Richmond & Frankfort KY

What is Chronic Relapse?

Chronic relapse is a repeated cycle in which a person tries to overcome an addiction, but falls victim again. Chronic relapsers are those who have undergone multiple treatments, who have had long periods of recovery, who know the lingo, tools, and guidelines, but still cannot remain clean and sober. Overcoming addiction is a long-term process for everyone.

Signs & Symptoms

These are a few of the common symptoms associated with chronic relapse:

• Numerous failed attempts at sobriety – Many addicts have never actually attempted to get sober. What makes chronic relapsers distinct is that they have tried to get sober and failed.
  
• Unable to maintain sobriety despite having a wealth of knowledge about addiction and recovery – Typically, chronic relapsers know about the disease, the treatment options, and the relapse triggers, however, they have no experience applying this knowledge to their lives in order to create lasting sobriety. 
  
• Feelings of hopelessness - Chronic relapsers, experience intense hopelessness and a cynical outlook on the possibility of permanent sobriety. 
  
• Multiple treatment options tried – Chronic relapsers have often tried a variety of treatments, including psychiatric treatment, detox, residential, outpatient and halfway houses, and support groups, such as 12-Step programs. 
  
• Various personality traits are exaggerated – Most chronic relapsers can have varied personality traits, including charm, intelligence, manipulation, deceit, or passion. In some cases, chronic relapsers can suffer from borderline personality disorder, anti-social personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. 
  

Diagnosis & Treatment Options

Psychiatrists can help chronic relapsers receive treatment plans or group therapy designed specifically for the relapse prone client. Other helpful tools for treating chronic relapse include:

• Appropriate medical management. Whether from a mental health professional, an addiction specialist or a family physician, the person’s chances of successful addiction recovery are boosted by having a health care professional monitor their progress.  
  
• Remove outside distractions. It is essential for chronic relapsers to remove all things distracting themselves and others from seeing the truth about them. 
  
• Emphasize the mental and spiritual nature of the disease. Chronic relapsers usually think they know what is wrong with them, but it is essential that chronic relapsers understand they have a disease of the mind, body and spirit.
  
• Intervene on the family. With chronic relapsers, the pathology of the family is typically worse than that of the client. In most cases, the family has participated in the progression of the illness through intense enabling behaviors. Treatment for the family is crucial.
  
• Use all leverage available. Using leverage from the family, chronic relapsers must recognize that they will not receive any emotional or financial support from their family if they do not complete long-term treatment or remain sober.
  
• Attend group therapy. Group therapy, such as Narcotics Anonymous, provide an understanding environment with others who can share how they successfully overcame addiction. These groups promote the 12 Steps, which must be worked through in their entirety with the help of a sponsor to maintain accountability. 
  
• Relentless accountability. Treatment for the chronic relapser should include a constant emphasis on accountability, responsibility and consistency. 
  

There Is Hope!

Working with the chronic relapse population by nature entails dealing with individuals who display significant resistance to treatment. While treatment requires constantly challenging this resistance, noncompliant behavior that persists beyond a reasonable amount of time or begins to interfere with others' treatment cannot be tolerated. Properly identifying chronic relapsers and getting them into a long-term program that is designed specifically for this population is critical to breaking the cycle of addiction.

If you or someone you know suffers from chronic relapse, do not hesitate to call our 

office for more information or visit these sites.

https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/chronic-relapse/

http://www.addiction-intervention.com/addiction/addiction-treatment/cycle-of-chronic-relapse/