Slip Vs Relapse
Families of individuals with addictions are not just an important part of treatment, but an important part of recovery (i.e. life after treatment). Relapse can be one of the biggest worries once loved ones return home from treatment, yet many can’t identify what true relapse looks like. TO complicate matters, there is no universally agreed upon definition for “relapse”. What is Relapse? While there are many definitions available, a relapse can be defined as “a return to previous levels of substance use or behaviour(s) after a period of improvement”. Generally, total relapse reflects a higher severity in the return to addictive behaviours. Many factors can influence relapse. To start, it’s not a sign or lacking willpower and control. Certain characteristics affect treatment outcomes and recovery. One study found those with higher self-efficacy, less avoidant coping styles, and a readiness to change showed better outcomes. In contrast, untreated concurrent mental health problems, multiple substance dependencies, and high impulsivity were linked to increased vulnerability for relapse. According to the same study, people experiencing mental health issues like distress, depression, and anxiety are also at higher risk for relapse. Negative emotions account for 30% of relapses and increase the chances of a ‘slip’ turning into relapse. What is a Slip? A slip is defined as “a break in abstinence” or “the act or instance of back-sliding”. A popular belief is that slips are not as detrimental as relapse. The belief is that it is different from relapse, because a slip is not a complete return to addictive behaviours. However, there are a number of people who don’t believe in slips; abstinence is “all or nothing” to them. Any consumption of substances is considered relapse. This belief doesn’t work for everyone. Behaviour & Process Addictions Adding to the confusion surrounding slips and relapse, are those with process addictions such as food, sex, video games, and internet use. For this group, it is not necessarily realistic to abstain permanently. For example, people with food or sex addiction need to develop moderate, healthy sexual or eating behaviours. Harm Reduction Definitions of relapse and slips also become confusing when the definition of recovery shifts from the traditional view of abstinence to moderate removal. For example, individuals with opioid addiction may need to taper in order to achieve long-term recovery. They may even need to use other painkillers to ease an injury or recover from surgery in the future. Recovery is not a State, it’s a Process Recovery is a learning process and a slip or relapse may be a necessary part of that individual’s learning. Individuals who slip or relapse learn more about themselves and better ways to prevent slips in the future. Relapse can also be a sign of boredom and a lack of meaning and purpose. Individuals who slip or relapse have an opportunity to look at their life and find ways to make it more meaningful. This insight can greatly improve their recovery and prevent relapse in the future. Your Role As friends and families, it’s important not to react drastically to a loved one’s slip or relapse. Our negative reactions can translate into failure in their eyes. This sense of failure can cause your loved one to believe they’re hopeless and return to old patterns. Individuals with more supportive relationships with families and friends show better treatment and recovery outcomes. The post Slip Vs Relapse appeared first on Canada Drug...
Specialized Outpatient Treatment in Quebec
We have spoken with this caller a couple of times. Janet* calls in for support for her brother’s addiction issues. Eric* finally wants to go to treatment. They live in Lachine, QC (just outside of Montreal). Janet and Eric are english speaking and looking for effective outpatient treatment. We gave him the contact information for Life Science because sometimes they are willing to work with clients on an outpatient basis. Life Science Addiction Treatment Center 114 Rue Kimpton Rigaud, QC J0P 1P0 Phone: (450) 451-9995 Fax: (450) 451-9995 Website: www.life-science.ca E-Mail: info@life-science.ca Contact: Marjorie Clarke (Clinical Director) at 450.451.0799 Description: This is an English speaking fee-for-service co-ed treatment program for adults 18+. There are 30, 60, 90 day primary treatment programs with a 10 day maintenance program. They use an evidence-based and best practices model. Treatment includes working with the client to design a treatment program that works best for them, which often includes implementing proper coping strategies. Treatment takes place in a home like environment in a rural area of Quebec. It is an English-speaking program. If necessary, clients see a psychiatrist for mental health assessment and treatment. Janet also asked if there were any medicines Eric could take that would make the cravings go away. We gave her the following information for Antabuse (which causes a person to become very sick if they consume alcohol) and the Sinclair Method: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_Method http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disulfiram (Antabuse can be easily prescribed by a doctor) Lastly, this is the link to the public treatment options available to Eric under QUEBEC HEALTH:...
Behavioural Treatment for Marijuana and Other Substance Dependency
Eric left us a message two weeks ago. During one of our courtesy follow-up phone calls we managed to get a hold of him and see if we could offer support. At the time, Eric was 18 days sober from Marijuana and longer from other substances. Eric stated he had been using Marijuana to help him cope with his withdrawals from “harder” substances; “coming down slowly” as he put it. However, Eric felt the longer he continued using Marijuana, the longer it would keep him the circle of substance users and increase his chances of relapse with the harder drugs. He also said that Marijuana was benefitting him because if he went cold turkey it would make him want to use faster because drugs have been his only coping method for a very long time. Eric wants a behavioural counsellor or program to help him break the cycle of dependence. Learn more about behavioural programs and recovery behaviours here: http://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/recovery-behaviours.html Since Eric has been sober for almost a month he did not think it was necessary to attend a residential program. Rather, he felt best suited towards an outpatient program. Based on the information he provided us, we developed a good understanding of Eric’s situation and needs. We put him in contact with Life Science if since he was going to pay for counselling (or otherwise be waitlisted for public mental health) he should consider talking with them as they are located nearby and would give him the support he was asking for. Life Science Addiction Treatment Center 114 Rue Kimpton, Rigaud, QC J0P 1P0 Phone: (450) 451-9995 Fax: (450) 451-9995 Website: www.life-science.ca E-Mail: info@life-science.ca An English-speaking fee-for-service co-ed treatment program for adults 18+. There are 30, 60, 90 day primary treatment programs with a 10 day maintenance program. Contact: Marjorie Clarke (Clinical director) at 450.451.0799 ...
French-speaking Alcohol Treatment for Women
Michel* called looking for publicly funded resources in Northern Quebec for his girlfriend with alcohol dependency. Michel also requested the suggested facilities be French-speaking. The list was sparse, but, nonetheless, there were options available to her: Drugs: Help and Referral Phone: (514) 527-2626 (Montreal and surrounding area) Toll-free: (800) 265-2626 (24-hour Confidential phone line) Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montréal 801 Sherbrooke St. East, Suite 401 Montréal QC H2L 1K7 Phone: (514) 527-1375 Open 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Federation Quebecoise des Centres de Readaptation Pour Personnes Alcooliques et Autres Toxicomanes/Rehabilitation Centres for Alcoholic and Addicted People (CRPAT) 204, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, bureau 350 Montréal QC H2Y 1T3 Phone: (514) 287-9625 *Not his real...
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the Montreal detox blog. This blog and many others are operated by www.canadadrugrehab.ca; an organization of specialists who talk to people every day by phone and email to help them find the addiction treatment and support they need for themselves or loved ones. That being said, we know there are many more people out there that we can help. For those who we are unable to communicate with directly by phone or email, we will be posting regular blogs detailing situations of callers across Canada and the resources we provided them so they have the resources to deal with their unique situation (names and personal information will be changed or removed to protect privacy). Each person’s situation is different and the links and information we give is tailored to that individual and their specific needs. We hope you will be able to identify with some of the people in these excerpts and find the provided information helpful in your own search for treatment options. For more personalized help in finding addiction treatment, please contact us at 1.877.746.1963 or info@canadadrugrehab.ca. There is no cost for connecting with us. CDR is a public service with a mission to help individuals and families struggling with addiction in Canada find treatment and other resources that will help them develop improved, more fulfilling...
