Having been to multiple inpatient alcohol rehabs, I feel like I have picked up on a few things.  At least, I\’d hope by now that I have learned some things. I did the outpatient rehab dance quite a few more times than I\’m entirely willing to admit.  But that is a tune that I never could quite get in sync with like I could with inpatient alcohol rehab. I always experienced longer-term sobriety with inpatient alcohol rehab than with the outpatient treatment. While I did attend a few different inpatient alcohol rehabs, it wasn’t until I finally found one that used behavioral-based therapy for treatment that I didn’t relapse again.

Among the important things that I have picked up from inpatient alcohol rehab, I have noticed that there are quite a few myths and mistaken beliefs in the world of recovery and in the world of addiction.  I like to focus on the world of recovery these days, though. So, let\’s stick to that.  I think where most myths and mistaken beliefs exist are in and around the topic of relapse.  So many mistaken beliefs about relapse can actually lead to a relapse.  It is truly heart breaking.  It can be compared to pushing the baby bird out of the nest before he is ready to fly and he falls to the ground, having broken both of his wings.

It is certainly a good idea to be concerned about the possibility of a relapse, but the more that you can learn about it and understand about it, the less threatening it will be to you.

The mistaken belief that is most rampant, in my opinion, is that relapse can be avoided by willpower and self-discipline.  This is most certainly not true!  It takes more than willpower and self-discipline alone to prevent a relapse!  Self-discipline and willpower are great tools to have, but they will not be the only assets that will keep you on the road of recovery.  A lot of times, I know I have claimed it more than once, addicts will say that they can go at it alone, that they can “tough it out” and do not need an inpatient alcohol rehab to help them quit. That is the addiction talking! If your loved one is saying this, chances are, they truly believe it, so you must take the time to explain their chemical dependence to them.  Moreover, if an alcoholic tries to quit drinking on his own, without inpatient alcohol rehab, there are serious medical ramifications like seizures and heart attack.  They will not be able to detox themselves if their addiction has already progressed this far!

If the addict has begun using again, it is because there are problems in their life that are not being effectively managed.  Those problems cannot be effectively managed until the recovering person finds the appropriate treatment and sobriety program.  Then and only then, will they be able to hold on to their sobriety.  Without the right sobriety solutions and treatment, self-discipline and willpower alone will not prevent the addict from using.

George K.