September 01, 2010
Hi from Bob and Shelley. Here's some great information for
you on relapse and how to avoid it.
By Ignoring Stress...Recovering Alcoholics and
Addicts Suffer More Cravings
Recovering alcoholics and addicts who avoid coping with
stress give in easily to substance use cravings, making them
more likely to relapse during recovery, according to behavioral
researchers.
"Cravings are a strong predictor of relapse," said H.
Harrington Cleveland, associate professor of human development,
Penn State. Because recovery must be maintained 'one day at a time,'
researchers have to understand it on a daily basis."
Harrington Cleveland, associate professor of human development,
Penn State. Because recovery must be maintained 'one day at a time,'
researchers have to understand it on a daily basis."
Cleveland and his colleague used data from a daily diary study of
people who are recovering alcoholics and addicts to identify
the processes that trigger cravings and prevent some from building
people who are recovering alcoholics and addicts to identify
the processes that trigger cravings and prevent some from building
a sustained recovery.
The researchers found that how alcoholics and addicts cope
with stress -- either by working through a problem or avoiding it --
is a strong predictor of whether they will experience
cravings when faced with stress and negative moods.
is a strong predictor of whether they will experience
cravings when faced with stress and negative moods.
Whether you avoid problems or analyze problems not only
makes a big difference in your life but also has a powerful
impact on someone who has worked hard to stay away from
alcohol and other drugs," explained Cleveland.
makes a big difference in your life but also has a powerful
impact on someone who has worked hard to stay away from
alcohol and other drugs," explained Cleveland.
When faced with stress, alcoholics and addicts who have
more adaptive coping skills appear to have a better
chance of staying in recovery.
Participants in the study were asked to record their daily
cravings for alcohol and other drugs, as well as the intensity
of negative social experiences -- hostility, insensitivity,
interference, and ridicule -- and their general strategies for
coping with stress.
Statistical analyses of the survey data suggests that the
magnitude of the link between having a stressful day and
experiencing substance use cravings doubles for recovering
alcoholics and addicts who cope with stress by avoiding it.
magnitude of the link between having a stressful day and
experiencing substance use cravings doubles for recovering
alcoholics and addicts who cope with stress by avoiding it.
"We found that alcoholics and addicts who deal with stress
by avoiding it have twice the number of cravings in a stressful
day compared to persons who use problem solving strategies
to understand and deal with the stress," explained Cleveland.
The findings suggest the impulse to avoid stress is never going
to help recovering alcoholics and addicts because stressful
experiences cannot be avoided.
If your basic life strategy is to avoid stress, then your problems
will probably end up multiplying and causing you more problems.
Almost everyone in recovery has times when stress and
compelling thoughts of drinking or using drugs resurface.
To read more about how to prevent relapse and to get some
great "problem solving strategies" check out this Staying Clean
and Sober relapse prevention guide, HERE!
In this 72 page printable workbook/guide,
the goal is to increase your awareness and
range of choices concerning behaviors, to
develop specific coping skills, self-management
abilities and to create a general sense of
abilities and to create a general sense of
manageability to your life. [Instant Download]
Keep Coming Back!
Bob and Shelley
Founders/Recovery Network
Check out our BLOG:
BLOG: http://recoverynetwork.wordpress.com/Email: robert@recoverynetwork.info