It is probably safe to assume that 90% of addicts will relapse in either their early or late stages of recovery. I'm not sure exactly what the statistics are, but i am sure a relapse should not discourage a person in recovery. Having the attitude that your hard recovery work is lost after a relapse will only return you to addiction equal to or worse then it used to be. Although you have lost to addiction that day, each day following that is another opportunity to regain sobriety.
Even though you should be able to accept and push past a relapse, it should not be used as an excuse to use drugs.
Think about relapsing as being very bad, and make it a big deal to not do it, however if you do relapse than you need to be able to put it behind you rather than letting it become a big downer that enables you to continue using.
Another good idea after a relapse would be to tell somebody about it. There are obviously better people to talk to than others. Talking to a counselor, sponsor, or someone else you can trust in recovery will allow you to be open and honest without having to worry about covering up the issue.
Surround yourself with family members and friends who love you, and try to stay away from the people, places, or things that caused you to have a relapse. Break your relapse down. Try to pin-point where or what led to you letting your guard down. Recognizing what allowed you to let your guard down will let you avoid situations similar to that in the future. If a relapse helps you realize how not to relapse again, then you stand to benefit at least in some way from a bad occurrence.
When you think you might be about to let yourself relapse then ask for help. It probably took help to keep you clean up until relapse, and you will most likely need help to keep it that way.
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