What Increases Our Risk of Relapse (E66)
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Gill discusses what increases our risk of relapsing. She explains how alcohol changes the brain to make it harder to not drink, so we’ll talk about changes to the reward center, how the brain communicates with itself, and how we are able to handle stress. You’ll learn how hope and the way you deal with things helps you stay sober too.
What to listen to next:
E26: Does the brain recover?
E42: Is relapse a part of recovery?
E46: Neuroplasticity helps us recover
Sources
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Stillman, M., Sutcliff, J. Predictors of relapse in alcohol use disorder: identifying individuals most vulnerable to relapse. Addiction and Substance Use. 2020; 1 (1): 3-8.
Zahr NM, Carr RA, Rohlfing T, Mayer D, Sullivan EV, Colrain IM, et al. Brain metabolite levels in recently sober individuals with alcohol use disorder: Relation to drinking variables and relapse. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging. 2016 Apr 30;250:42-9.
Frye MA, Hinton DJ, Karpyak VM, Biernacka JM, Gunderson LJ, Geske J, et al. Elevated glutamate levels in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are associated with higher cravings for alcohol. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 2016 Aug;40(8):1609-16.
Sinha R. How does stress lead to risk of alcohol relapse?. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews. 2012;34(4):432.
Blaine SK, Milivojevic V, Fox H, Sinha R. Alcohol effects on stress pathways: impact on craving and relapse risk. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 2016 Mar;61(3):145-53.
Bradshaw SD, Shumway ST, Dsauza CM, Morris N, Hayes ND. Hope, coping skills, and the prefrontal cortex in alcohol use disorder recovery. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. 2017 Sep 3;43(5):591-601
Suter M, Strik W, Moggi F. Depressive symptoms as a predictor of alcohol relapse after residential treatment programs for alcohol use disorder. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 2011 Oct 1;41(3):225-32.
Bradizza CM, Stasiewicz PR, Paas ND. Relapse to alcohol and drug use among individuals diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders: a review. Clinical Psychology Review. 2006 Mar 1;26(2):162-78.
Cite this episode
Tietz, G. Episode 66: What Increases Our Risk of Relapse. Sober Powered. 2021.
