The term relapse means from the Latin  relabi to slide back, from re- + labi to slide
1 : the act or an instance of backsliding, worsening, or subsiding
2 : a recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement

Like recovery relapse is a process that begins before actual re-addiction to drugs and/or alcohol occurs. Within the process of relapse there are many signs that the person in recovery needs to be aware of in order to guard against re-addction. The following are some of the more common danger signs.

I deny my fear.
I convince myself that " I'll never drink/use again."
I decide that " not using" is all I need.
I try to force sobriety on others.
I become overconfident about my recovery.
I behave compulsively...
I overwork or under work,
I over talk or withdraw.
I start isolating.
I make unrealistic or haphazard plans.
I live in the " there and then."
I start daydreaming of failure.
I view my problems as unsolvable.
I avoid having fun.
I over-analyze myself.
I become irritated by friends or family.
I am easily angered.
I begin blaming people, places, things and conditions for my problems.
I begin doubting my disease.
I eat irregularly (over- or under eating, snacking).
I have listless periods.
I sleep irregularly (oversleeping, under sleeping).
I experience periods of deep depression.
I develop an " I don' t care" attitude.
I hoard money, sex or power.
I openly reject help.
I rationalize that drinking or using can' t make my life worse than it is now.
I feel sorry for myself.
I have fantasies of social drinking or using.
I begin to lie consciously.
I increase my use of aspirin or other nonprescription medications.
I am overwhelmed with loneliness, frustration, anger and tension.
I begin contacting or visiting my drinking or using " friends" and places.
I convince myself I' m cured.
I lose control.
I tell myself it' s okay to deal.
I can use the money. It will be quick and easy.

Rick Murphy, M.A.