Some estimate that the rate of substance abuse relapse is as high as 40-60%.
(National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Relapse happens and can include a variety of conditions such as relapse of:
And many others.
For our purposes when discussing relapse, we are referring to a relapse related to substance use disorder, sex, and food disordered behavior. We consider relapse with these issues to be when a person stops maintaining their goal of reducing or avoiding disordered behaviors and returns to previous levels of use/action.
Relapse can be extremely dangerous. With substance abuse relapse, there is a high number of overdose deaths that occur after sobriety time.
Substance abuse relapse after sobriety time is linked to overdose deaths in high numbers due to users returning to previous levels of use immediately and the body being unable to process the drugs as it once could.
Levels of overdose from relapse are certainly concerning, but other dangers and life-changing events can occur as well, such as:
And much more.
In a relapse study shared by the Recovery Research Institute:
In addition to this, it found:
The term chronic indicates that the disordered behavior is persistent for long periods of time and/or constantly recurring. Chronic relapse is often linked to unresolved trauma.
| Clients who attend our program and report chronic relapse as an issue find that by healing and resolving their underlying trauma, their rate of relapse significantly decreases or diminishes all together. |
Understanding when primary treatment is necessary or when trauma care is a better option can be difficult. While there is no “one size fits all” answer, there are some guidelines to follow.
Simply, if you are struggling to maintain sobriety from any primary disordered behavior, we ask that you attend a primary treatment program before coming to The Bridge to Recovery.
Why is this?
Digging into unresolved trauma can be very difficult and emotional work. Clients attending our program do best when they are clear-minded, healing and recovery centered. When actively engaged in primary disordered behavior, it can be difficult to do this deep trauma work.
Experiencing some sobriety time, having time to stabilize the behavior, and gaining an understanding for recovery is beneficial before attending The Bridge to Recovery.
If you need more clarification on whether primary treatment may be helpful before attending The Bridge, or you would like referrals to trauma-informed primary care programs, call us today. We are happy to help.
for a confidential screening
Call Today 1-877-866-8661“ Honestly the Bridge taught me something I already knew but had to remember. I am so damn special, valid, and important. Everyone in my life saw it, but me. The Bridge just showed me how to look in the mirror to see for myself. ”
- Jewel, Alumnus
