The recovery process involved in drug and alcohol abuse is difficult for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for young adults.
Part of it may have to do with the pressure that people in this age group face when it comes to to participating in events where drugs or alcohol are involved. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 77.4 percent of young adults reported alcohol use within the previous year and slightly more than 10 percent reported using prescription painkillers.
Another issue is that young adults may not have the life experience and coping mechanisms to deal with the situations that might challenge their sobriety.
Regardless of the reasons, relapse prevention is one of the most important parts of the recovery process. Here are some other factors that could affect recovery, and possible solutions:
Housing Issues
It’s often difficult for people in recovery to find affordable and appropriate housing. Even returning to the family home can be difficult, because the environment might not support their sobriety. One solution is a sober house for young adults, a place where young people in recovery can slowly transition into independent living.
Some sober houses are located near college campuses where the residents can attend classes while working on their continued recovery.
Job Issues
Recovering addicts can often have difficulty finding employment, especially if they also have criminal records.
Organizations like America in Recovery and the National H.I.R.E. Network help people in recovery find employment. Some organizations may even provide training or get them in touch with state and local agencies that can help with employment.
Education Issues
People in recovery could have difficulty in an education setting. Some are the problems could be financial, especially since financial aid may not be available to people with criminal records. However, the biggest issue is that the social setting at many colleges, coupled with the stress of attending school, could be conducive to a relapse. Sober houses can help students in recovery deal with the stresses and temptations of school.
Other Considerations
Relapse is actually a process that begins long before the recovering addict actually starts using. There are actually three stages – emotional, mental, and physical; and being aware of these stages can help people in recovery stay the course.
· The emotional stage is a series of emotions and behaviors that could set the recovering addict up for relapse. Anxiety, anger, mood swings, and feelings of isolation can all set the stage.
· The mental stage is where the recovering addict starts entertaining thoughts of using. They could be mild thoughts in the beginning, but they could become more insistent at time goes on. These thoughts of using could include glamorizing past use, reminiscing about and hanging out with people they used drugs with, and fantasizing about using.
· The physical stage is where the former addict actually starts using again.
In many cases the recovering addict might not seek help when he starts entering the stages of relapse. He may even stop going to meetings under the belief that he is functioning well without them. Friends and family members can help the recovering addict recognize the early signs of relapse. So can programs like sober living houses, where the recovering addict is surrounded by people trained to recognize the signs of relapse.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.