Top 14 red flags of an impending relapse.
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Exhaustion: Becoming overly tired – heads up, workaholics.
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Dishonesty: Little lies and deceits – making excuses.
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Impatience: Things do not happen fast enough – others not doing what they should. Road rage and driving dangerously are signs also.
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Argumentativeness: Arguing ridiculous points of view – looking for an excuse to drink, use drugs, gamble, or other “acting-out” addictions.
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Depression: Unreasonable despair – Problems not being talked out.
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Frustration: At people and things that may not be going your way.
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Self-pity: Why do these things only happen to me? Why am I like I am? (Hint: Even if you do know why you are as you are – it does not change anything. You have to make changes.)
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Over-Confidence: Thinking you have got-it-made – you no longer fear your addiction – and you take risks getting involved with people, places, and things that you know are high risk.
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Complacency: Thinking everything is ok, and “forgetting” about past negative consequences. Cruising on yesterday’s recovery.
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Expecting too much from others: “I have changed, why hasn’t everyone else started to trust me, reward me, etc…”
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Abuse of Over The Counter Medicines: Rather than your “drug of choice” or mood altering substances.
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Personal expectations set too high: Setting goals that are unattainable, or that take time and effort to obtain and not willing to be patient and put in the hard work. “Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.”
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Selective Memory: Forgetting what you were like when you were using, abusing or deep into your addiction. Learn to be grateful each day, even if the world seems a little less colourful to you – it will get better.
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Not rewarding yourself in healthy ways: Still thinking that substance use is a reward, or something that you deserve.
Most people, who have gotten to the point where their substance use could be considered abuse, or that they were or are addicted or dependent, cannot really go back to controlled use. Like it or not, for many it is a fact of life.
When you see your addict sneaking in apply a spiritual principle to whatever maybe happening instead. Acceptance, honesty, open mindedness, vulnerability, self love, self compassion etc,etc.
