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A relapse in medical terms means the return of signs and symptoms relating to an illness that a person has apparently recovered from. In relation to drug or alcohol addiction, relapse refers to the return of behaviours and thoughts relating to drinking or taking drugs again.
Some people are of the opinion that relapse occurs only when the person returns to drinking or taking drugs, but it actually starts earlier than that; when the person begins thinking it could be okay to drink or take drugs.
Those in recovery know the danger of relapse and will generally take steps to avoid it. Singer Demi Lovato has recently spoken out about how she needs to be constantly alert to triggers and temptations to stay sober.
Lifetime Commitment
Relapse is something that recovering alcoholics and drug addicts are aware of from the moment they begin their recovery, and it is something that most will fear. Getting sober takes hard work and commitment and the fear of returning to old habits is enough to keep most recovering addicts on the straight and narrow. Sobriety is something that requires a lifetime commitment, and Demi said that she has to avoid certain triggers in order to maintain her alcohol-free life. She said, I had to learn the hard way that I cant do parties anymore. Some people can go out and not be triggered, but thats not the case for me.
Destructive Illness
Demi developed a drug and alcohol addiction during her teenage years as she struggled to cope with fame. She admits she was a nightmare to work with and believed she could do whatever she wanted. She would not allow anyone to help her and revealed that when people tried to get her to calm down, she would threaten them and remind them that she was the one who paid their wages.
Admitting that she could not go longer than an hour without cocaine at her lowest point, Demi said that she did actually relapse a number of times after rehab. She said that she did not take sobriety as seriously as she should have done because she was of the opinion that her drug use was purely a symptom of the eating and bipolar disorders she also suffers with.
Full Commitment
It took Demi a while to realise that she needed to stay sober permanently and she now admits that she works hard to maintain her sobriety. She said she must avoid temptations and constantly make the right decisions.
Demi is about to go on tour with Nick Jonas, and she has insisted on a dry rider with her dressing room to be stocked with lemon sparkling water. She added that she avoids parties and clubs now and prefers to spend her time at home with boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama.
However, for Demi it does not stop there; as well as avoiding places where drugs or alcohol would possibly be present, she also avoids less obvious triggers. She said she would not watch the Amy Winehouse documentary because she feared seeing drugs being used in the film might have been a temptation. She said, I know my life sounds so boring. But Ive come to a place where Id rather be relaxed than get all dressed up and go to some party or club with people who dont really care about my well-being at all.
Committing to Recovery
Demi is proof that sobriety is possible, but she is also an example of how maintaining a sober life requires dedication and commitment. Many organisations provide help for those with addiction, but it is necessary to commit to recovery to overcome this illness. If you are ready to get better, contact us here at Rehab Helper today. We can put you in touch with a suitable treatment provider for your requirements.
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