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Relapse, with or without treatment, is a valid concern and not uncommon. Fortunately, Edgewood Vancouver Addiction Services can help!
Despite the commitment to stay sober, unconscious processes are at work even after completing a substance abuse treatment centre. These include the brain's need to rebalance the dysregulation of the meso-limbic dopamine system (What is addiction?). A period of vulnerability exists until new behaviours in recovery are sufficient to help the person manage cravings and a new way of living. This vulnerable period is often the time a person can relapse, despite their level of confidence. While understandable, relapse is not inevitable but if it does occur, our staff will work with you to identify the "triggers" which led to the relapse and formulate a plan to deal with them.
Relapses may also be triggered by unrealistic expectations of being able to return to the people, places and things which were part of the substance abusing lifestyle prior to treatment. Friends or family might also have expectations which do not allow the person time to try out new behaviours or to take responsibility for themselves in recovery. Our group, family and individual counselling can help identify the stages of the relapse process before abstinence is threatened. Relapse prevention counseling can help a person and their loved ones arrive at meaningful and sober choices, strengthening the recovery from substance dependence.
A portion of people in recovery from substance dependence relapse chronically, leading to the fracturing of families, relationships, careers and overall well-being. Often, hope is exhausted as the person continues to use alcohol or other drugs in vicious cycles of despair, unkept promises and failing health.
Our staff of qualified addiction treatment counsellors is able to engage the chronic relapser by contracting with him or her to commit to a level of treatment which is best suited to the individual's needs and abilities. This can involve increased counseling contacts, regular family or employer sessions, alcohol and drug testing or help in selecting and providing expedited alcohol and drug rehab placement and referrals.
Recent and well-documented developments in the addictions treatment field suggest that medications, not drugs of abuse, may have a role to play in the successful treatment of substance dependence. Cravings, withdrawal, compulsive behaviours and obsessive thinking can be managed with the skillful and compassionate administration of these medications in coordination with our counseling staff and other healthcare providers. Our ASAM certified addiction treatment physician is an integral part of the team which can help navigate the way out of chronic relapse patterns.
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Building on the strengths and resilience of individuals, families and communities who are taking responsibility for sustained recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.
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