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Relapse Prevention

There are many triggers to relapse for recovering alcoholics and addicts, but there are also preventive measures that can be successful.
Using Exercise to Aid Alcohol and Drug Recovery
Many professional alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitation programs include exercise as part of an overall program to help patients maintain abstinence and develop a more healthy lifestyle.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Addiction
Cognitive Behavior Therapy is mostly used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, delusional disorder and other mental disorders, but it has also been shown to be valuable in treating alcoholism and drug addiction.
Relapse Triggers
The consensus seems to be that very early in sobriety, news articles, TV commercials and even Jimmy Buffet tunes can be a threat to cause a relapse.
Stress Should Be Avoided in Early Sobriety
Many alcohol treatment and rehabilitation programs include exercise and sports programs for patients who are in early abstitence, but now there is research that suggests that may not be a good idea, at least for the first couple of months.
Spouse's Attitude Can Affect Relapse
A new study confirms that Al-Anon's purpose of offering "understanding and encouragement" to those with drinking problems is best approach family members can take in dealing with the problem.
Nicotine Increases Alcohol Craving
People who smoke and try to quit drinking have a more difficult time not relapsing, because nicotine may actually cause a craving for alcohol.
Relapse and Craving
There is evidence that approximately 90 percent of alcoholics are likely to experience at least one relapse over the 4-year period following treatment.
Alcohol Cravings Induced?
There is an alarming connection between alcoholism and the various prescription drugs that increase serotonin. The most popular of those drugs are: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Serzone, Effexor, Anafranil, and the new diet pills, Fen-Phen and Redux.
Before You Take That Drink
A list of diversions which can be implemented by recovering alcoholics within a short time of having a serious thought about drinking alcohol.
Genetics, Stress Push Alcoholics Off the Wagon
Researchers are getting a better idea as to why alcoholics can't resist the urge. Recent studies are shedding new light on the underlying behavioral and neurobiological causes.
Meetings Make Me Want to Drink!
Recovery from alcoholism the A.A. way ultimately depends on a willingness to take certain steps and accept certain spiritual principles into one's life: it does not depend on meetings.
Obstacles to Recovery
The principal obstacles to recovery from any addiction are ignorance, shame, dishonesty, and personal exceptionalism.
Slips
Do alcoholics suffer from "Alcoholic Behavior" or are they simply victims of human nature? By the late William D. Silkworth, M.D.
Stress Management in Recovery
Stress management is not the same thing as stress relief. Stress management is a long-term solution to millions of short-term problems.
Will to Stay Sober Can Be Weakened
The self-control that allows people in recovery to maintain abstinence requires a measurable expenditure of mental energy, reserves of which are not inexhaustible.

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