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Checklist Of Symptoms Leading To Relapse

1

Exhaustion. Allowing yourself to become overly tired or in poor health. Some people in recovery are also prone to work addiction, perhaps they are in a hurry to make up for lost time. Good health and rest are important. If you feel good, you are more likely to think well. Feel poorly and your thinking is apt to deteriorate. Feel bad enough and you might begin to think that a ‘slip-up’ could not make it any worse.

2

Dishonesty. This begins with a pattern of unnecessary little lies and deceits with family, friends and fellow workers. Then comes important lies to yourself. This is called rationalising. That is, making excuses for not doing what you do not want to do, or for doing what you know you should not do.

3

Impatience. Things are not happening fast enough. Also, others are not doing what they should or what you want them to.

4

Argumentativeness. Arguing small and ridiculous points of view indicates a need to always be right. “Why don’t you be reasonable and agree with me?” Looking for an excuse to slip

5

Depression. Unreasonable and unaccountable despair may occur in cycles. It should be talked about, and dealt with, as soon as possible.

6

Frustration. This is at people, or because things may not be going your way. Remember, everything is not going to be just the way you want it.

7

Self-pity. ‘Why do these things happen to me?’ ‘Why must I be an addict?’ ‘Nobody appreciates all I am doing (for them?).’

8

Cockiness. Got it made. No longer fear addiction. Going into risky situations to prove you have no problem. Do this often enough and it will wear down your defences.

9

Complacency. ‘Relapsing was the farthest thing from my mind.’ Not relapsing was no longer a conscious thought either. It is dangerous to let up on discipline because everything is going well. Always to have a little fear is a good thing. More relapses occur when things are going well than otherwise.

10

Expecting too much from others. ‘I’ve changed. Why hasn’t everyone else?” It is a plus if they do, but it is still your problem if they do not. They may not trust you yet and may be looking for further proof. You cannot expect others to change their lifestyles just because you have.

11

Letting up on Disciplines. For example: prayer, meditation, daily inventory and attendance at 12-step programmes/groups. This can stem from complacency or boredom. You cannot, however, afford to be bored with your programme. The cost of relapse is always too great.

12

Use of mood-altering substances. You may feel the need to ease things with a tablet and your doctor may even go along with this. You may never have had a problem with chemical substances or alcohol, but you can easily lose sobriety starting this way. It is about the subtlest way to have a relapse.

13

Wanting too much. Do not set goals you cannot reach with normal effort. Do not expect too much. It’s always great when good things you were not expecting then happen. You will get what you are entitled to, as long as you do your best, but maybe not as soon as you think you should. “Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.”

14

Forgetting gratitude. You may be looking negatively on your life, concentrating on problems that still are not totally corrected. It is good to sometimes remember from where you started and how much better life is now.

15

“It Can’t Happen to Me” This is dangerous thinking. Almost anything can happen to you and is more likely to if you get careless. Remember, you have a progressive disease and you will be in worse shape if you relapse.

16

Omnipotence. This is a feeling that results from a combination of many of the above. You now have all the answers for yourself and others. No one can tell you anything. You ignore suggestions or advice from others. Relapse is probably imminent unless drastic change takes place.