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Road to Recovery

Mistaken Belief #1

Mistaken Belief #2

Mistaken Belief #3

Mistaken Belief #4

Mistaken Belief #5

Mistaken Belief #6

Mistaken Belief #7

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Mistaken Belief #9

Mistaken Belief #10

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Mistaken Belief #12

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Mistaken Belief #17

 By: Terry Gorski with additions by: Lee Jamison

A MISTAKEN BELIEF IS SOMETHING THAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE TRUE AND ACT AS IF IT WERE TRUE WHEN, IN FACT, IT IS FALSE.

Mistaken Belief #2: Relapse comes on suddenly and without warning.

Fact: The relapse process begins long before alcohol and drug use starts. The pain and discomfort of being sober often trigger the relapse process.

There are sobriety-based symptoms of addiction that emerge with abstinence. Unless a person learns to manage these symptoms, they can increase in severity until an abstinent person becomes as dysfunctional as before sobriety began. These sobriety-based symptoms may include and intensified awareness of sights and sounds, and overreaction to stress, emotional numbness, emotional overreaction, memory problems, sleep disturbances, or mental confusion.

Sobriety based symptoms can be controlled or minimized by learning as much about them as possible, good nutritional practices including supplements and exercise, and by learning to relax and have fun. If the symptoms are not managed, the dysfunction and stress can lead to a change in behavior, a breakdown in relationships and social structure, a loss of good judgement, and finally out of control behavior.

Many people are out of control before they take the first drink or drug. The relapse process can cause them to become dysfunctional even though they are not drinking or using drugs. In AA/NA this dysfunction is often called a “Dry Drunk.”

Addicts may use to relieve these symptoms even though they know that using will eventually bring severe consequences. If the knowledge of these consequences keeps them from drinking or using drugs, they may become dysfunctional in other ways.

There are many warning signs that lead up to alcohol or drug use. If you believe the relapse process begins with using alcohol or drugs and comes on without warning you are less likely to recognize early warning signs of relapse when they occur. You are less likely to take care of yourself and learn to manage the sobriety based symptoms of addiction before they become severe.