Alcohol addiction is challenging to overcome, but it is possible to recover and go on to live a healthy, substance-free life.
However, there is always the risk of relapsing, and if you have a loved one who is using again, they may be attempting to hide it from you.
Let’s look at some warning signs that could indicate a return to alcohol use for someone who was once in recovery.
Red Flag #1: Romanticizing Their Drinking Problem
One of the earliest warning signs of a relapse or a pending relapse is when a person in recovery starts thinking or speaking fondly of the time they consumed alcohol. They may think about some of the parties they attended or people they used to spend time with in those days.
If your loved one is talking positively about their life when they were actively drinking, they may have already relapsed.
Red Flag #2: Avoiding Their Alcohol Addiction Recovery Support System
People who have relapsed and started drinking again often isolate themselves. They may stop answering their phones, returning text messages, or attending social events with people who have supported them in recovery.
Eventually, they may stop attending therapy appointments and AA groups if they were once going regularly. However, they’re likely to withdraw socially first and continue going to appointments to create the appearance that everything is fine.
Red Flag #3: Denial
You may notice your loved one entering into denial. They may not deny that they have a drinking problem, but many people who relapse are in denial about their stress levels.
Of all the reasons to start drinking again, stress is one that’s usually high on the list. If your loved one claims to have everything under control and stops reaching out for help, it could be a red flag indicating a possible relapse.
Red Flag #4: Demonstrating Harmful Behaviors
Excessive alcohol use has an effect on behavior as well as the decisions people make. If your loved one has relapsed, you may notice a return to the harmful behaviors that caused concern in the past.
However, some behavior changes might be more subtle. For example, your loved one may not drive drunk, but they might start becoming defensive or even angry in situations they shouldn’t.
Red Flag #5: Resurgence of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
A person who has relapsed but wants to keep it quiet may go through alcohol withdrawal all over again. You may notice key symptoms like anxiety, depression, fatigue, or memory loss.
In their mind, controlling these and other withdrawal symptoms requires drinking again, which only contributes to the cycle of alcohol abuse.
How to Support Your Loved One Through an Alcohol Relapse
It’s normal to feel helpless if you believe your loved one has relapsed. However, there is still so much you can do to provide support and avoid enabling behaviors.
- Remind the person that you are still there to support them in recovery.
- Talk with them about going to alcohol rehab.
- Consider staging an intervention if they’re resistant to treatment.
At Focus Treatment Centers, we know how challenging it is to recover from alcohol addiction. Unfortunately, relapses are often a part of the recovery process. Recovery is possible and you are not alone.
If you or a loved one has relapsed and you need help, contact us. We’re in-network with most major insurance plans and offer alternative payment options for patients with out-of-network insurance.
