Relapse is a process that begins long before the first use of the chemical. There are many small decisions and choices we make, often without thinking, that lead us back to our addiction. It is important to recognize the warning signs in order to stop the relapse process before you actually use. The following are common warning signs; identify yours.

 

 Relapse Warning Signs

 

____I start doubting my ability to stay sober.

____I deny my fears.   

____I have fantasies about using.

____I convince myself that "I'll never drink/use again."

____I decide being abstinent is all I need.

 ____I begin to lie consciously

____I try to force sobriety on others.

____I become over confident about my sobriety.

____I avoid talking about my problems and my recovery.

____I behave compulsively (overeat, overwork, isolate, etc.)

____I overreact to stressful situations.

____I start isolating myself.

____I increase my use of non-prescription medications.

____I become preoccupied with one area of my life.

____I start having minor depressions.  

____I completely lose confidence in myself.

____I start unrealistic or haphazard planning.

____I live in the "there and then."  

____I develop unreasonable resentments.

____I find my life plans begin to fail.  

____I stop attending AA and aftercare.

____I start idle daydreaming and wishful thinking.

____I view my problems as unsolvable.

____I long for happiness, but don't know what it is.

____I avoid having fun.  

____I feel overwhelmed with loneliness, frustration and anger.

____I overanalyse myself.   

____I begin visiting using friends and places.

____I become irritated with family and friends.

____I experience periods of confusion.

____I convince myself that I am cured.

____I am easily angered.  

 ____I make or experience a major life change.

____I begin blaming people, places and things for my problems.

____I begin doubting my disease.

____I eat irregularly.   

____I start using a chemical that is not my drug of choice.

____I have listless periods.   

____I lose control.

____I sleep irregularly.   

____I practice controlled using.

____I progressively lose my daily routine.

____I experience periods of deep depression.

____I sporadically attend AA and aftercare meetings.

____I develop an "I don't care attitude."

____I hoard money, sex or power.

____I openly reject help.

____I develop aches and pains

____I rationalize that using can't make my life any worse than it already is.

____I feel helpless and powerless.

____I feel sorry for myself.

 ____I begin visiting using friends and places.

____I become irritated with family and friends.

____I experience periods of confusion.

____I convince myself that I am cured.

____I am easily angered.

____I make or experience a major life change.

____I begin blaming people, places and things for my problems.

____I begin doubting my disease. 

____I eat irregularly.

____I start using a chemical that is not my drug of choice.

____I have listless periods.

____I lose control.

____I sleep irregularly.

____I practice controlled using.

____I progressively lose my daily routine.

____I experience periods of deep depression.

____I sporadically attend AA and aftercare meetings.

____I develop an "I don't care attitude."

____I hoard money, sex or power.

____I openly reject help.

____I develop aches and pains

____I rationalize that using can't make my life any worse than it already is.

____I feel helpless and powerless.

____I feel sorry for myself.