Long-term abstinence from drugs or alcohol does not guarantee being free from relapse. There have been many instances when individuals who have finished drug addiction treatment end up on relapse despite efforts to live drug and alcohol-free lives. This happens even to those who have successfully lived several years of sobriety.
Relapse happen due to many and varied reasons. These risk factors include old friends and acquaintances, personal experiences as well as negative emotions. Surveys reveal that most drug addiction come as a result of persuasion from friends and acquaintances that are into any of these vices. As much as possible, do not let yourself be involved in any of your friends who use drugs or are suspected to be using these illicit substances. Otherwise you’d find yourself in a risky situation again. If there’s any chance you’d accidentally meet up somewhere, say “hi” but never go out with him/ her.
Family circumstances such as the separation or divorce of parents and death of a loved one as well as financial crunch in the family may also trigger relapse. These events create sense of emptiness within concerned family members and are likely to cause relapse even among those who have been sober for a few years. Emotions such as anxiety, disgust, irritability also predisposes relapse and should be addressed as early as possible.