Practical Tips For Relapse Prevention

EACH INDIVIDUAL HAS THEIR OWN SPECIFIC TRIGGERS THAT MAY AFFECT THEM AND/OR CAUSE URGES TO HAVE SYMPTOMS. SOME MAY REFER TO THEM AS “RED FLAGS”, OR WHAT MAY SEEM TO BE INSIGNIFICANT BEHAVIORS THAT MIGHT INDICATE THE BEGINNING OF A RELAPSE. SOME OF THESE MIGHT INCLUDE:

EXHAUSTION…not taking care of yourself can result in becoming overly tired or in poor health. You might feel bad enough that you think that having symptoms couldn’t make it any worse.

A PATTERN of unnecessary little lies to the people in your life. You may be making excuses for not doing what you do not want to do, or for doing what you know you should not do.

IMPATIENCE…with yourself and others. Are your expectations too high?

ARGUING small and ridiculous points of view….always needing to be right…an excuse for symptoms?

DEPRESSION that you refuse to talk about.

INCREASED FRUSTRATION at people and situations around you. This may increase with perceived lack of control.

COCKINESS…Don’t let your guard down. If you believe that relapse CAN’T happen to you, then you are more likely to be careless and it may happen.

COMPLACENCY…It is dangerous to let up on discipline because everything is going well. Relapses can happen when things are going well.

STRESS….The “little” signs begin to slip in. You grab a diet yogurt, and you extend your allotted exercise time. Remember: YOU WILL BE CHEATING RECOVERY!!!

FORGETTING GRATITUDE….a negative outlook….looking for the problems, instead of how far you’ve come, and how much better life is now.

OMNIPOTENCE….You ignore suggestions or advice from others. No one can tell you anything you don’t already know.
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