Drug and Alcohol Addiction Relapse - It could happen:

You're NOT a failure. When someone doesn't see success immediately from a drug and alcohol recovery program or even a drug and alcohol treatment program, it doesn't mean that they've failed. Additionally, when you put that sort of pressure on someone to stay sober and drug free after they've struggled with drug and alcohol related problems, you are actually making it more difficult for them to try to overcome their addiction. This is where Mark Houston Recovery wants to remind you of two very important things:

1. Recovery is not and should not ever be guaranteed.
2. Relapse should be considered part of the recovery process. 

Contrary to what you may have heard or read, whether it's a 30-day recovery program or a 90-day recovery program, you cannot simply “cure” someone in any set amount of time after they've suffered from the debilitating effects of drug or alcohol addiction. Rather, each person's recovery is specific to that individual; and while it may take some less time to recover from an addiction, it may take others longer. A large part of the drug and alcohol recovery process is contingent upon the individual. Do they recognize that they need the help? Have they accepted the help? Are they committed to making an effort to get clean and sober?

There are many excellent licensed drug and alcohol treatment centers throughout the United States where those with a simple goal of overcoming drug abuse can find medically supervised drug addiction rehab programs. The general consensus is that the longer the drug addicted individual experiences quality rehab, the better his chances will be for permanent drug-free living. With that in mind, the Mark Houston Recovery Center is a private residential center located just outside of Austin, Texas where adult men can reside for 30 consecutive days or 90 consecutive days after first having been treated in a drug and alcohol treatment program. We believe that by maintaining a male-only facility, a small number of beds with a high staff to resident ratio as well as by continuing to instill in each of our residents various “life skills,” residents will leave our drug and alcohol recovery program better equipped to lead sober and drug free lives.

Seventeen Drug and Alcohol Relapse Triggers

When discussing drug and alcohol relapse, the Mark Houston Recovery Center has found at least 17 relapse triggers, which are listed as follows:

1. Putting yourself in a difficult situation like visiting your favorite bar or hanging out with friends who are still using drugs
2. Keeping isolated by not attending meetings or working with your sponsor
3. Keeping any type of alcohol, drugs or paraphernalia around the house
4. Obsessing about using drugs or drinking alcohol
5. Skipping your doctor's appointments, stopping your therapy & failing to follow your relapse prevention treatment plan
6. Feeling like you are strong enough to handle things on your own
7. Having a strained relationship with a spouse who still uses alcohol or drugs
8. Setting your expectations too high and being too hard on yourself when things go wrong
9. Changing your routine
10. Ignoring sudden changes in psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and anger
11. Dwelling on unresolved conflicts or past hurts
12. Transferring your substance abuse addiction to other addictions
13. Extreme emotional life changes
14. Ignoring warning signs and triggers
15. Refusing to deal with personal problems
16. Not having awareness of your limitations
17. Stopping medications against your doctor's advice

At Mark Houston Recovery, we don't promise any miracle cures; however, we will offer you an alternative recovery that will not make you feel like you've failed. We are committed to providing you with an opportunity to take on recovery in a whole new way that ultimately helps the way you think and the way you live with sobriety.