AboutDerek Johnson Expertise Any behavior in which you are compelled to engage in when you do not want to can lead to an addiction.
Experience I offer counseling (http://www.kasamba.com/derek-johnson) of all types -drugs, alcohol, sexual, anger, depression, co-dependency, anxiety, grief, stress, eating disorders, distortions of thought, compulsions, mood disorders, controlling behaviors, inferiority, marriage and family, motivation, life coaching, relapse prevention and recovery counseling- from an eclectic approach.
My abilities are being refined daily by supervising a counseling center that offers counseling to 120 clients. I have 10 years of direct care in all counseling arenas. I also have 2 years experience working with the mentally handicapped. Additionally, I have 2 years experience in Marriage and Family relationship issues. I have personally and unfortunately experienced sexual abuse, a suicide attempt and many addictions. This gives me a unique perspective in helping others.
Organizations Teen Challenge of Florida Florida Certification Board International Society for Mental Health Online International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
Education/Credentials Certified Mental Health Professional # 50190 (MA)/ Certified Addiction Professional #3279 (MA) / Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology / Internationally Certified Counselor #24570 / Certified by the Florida Certification Board / Certified by International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium / NET Institute Diploma for Counseling and Addiction Studies
Expert: Derek Johnson Date: 5/12/2008 Subject: relapsing
Question I was clean for 2 or 3 years .my choice of drug is crack I relapsed,I have done it like 4 times now,I have told close people to me I know my triggers I got rid of the pipe and I want to quit please give me information or what to do next....I feel horrible and that I let everybody down but most of all myself...What do I do next?
Answer Hi Theresa, thank you for contacting me.
The most important aspect is to not beat yourself up and allow self-condemnation to further take you to places emotionally that will only drive the need to cope.
Relapse is defined as when an individual uses after a period of time clean and continues that use for a time. What you have done is lapsed. This is when an individual uses after a time but picks themselves up and regains their sobriety.
You have done a wise thing by telling people around you and having them as your accountability. Good job. Keep this up and lean on them for support.
Additionally, I have pasted the Faster Scale as an excellent "mirror" for you to check your thinking daily and assess where you are at. The creator, Mike Dye, says that relapse is impossible if this tool is used daily and honestly.
FASTER RELAPSE AWARENESS SCALE
Check your thinking by referring to this scale. Reoccurring symptoms indicate a “dry” relapse pattern.
RECOVERY: (Acceptance & Gratitude) No current secrets, resolving problems, identifying fears and feelings, keeping commitments to meetings/church/people/goals/self,
Open, honest, making eye contact, reaching out to others, increasing relationship with God and others, being accountable. This is what
Recovery
“looks” like.
FORGETTING PRIORITIES (Denial, Flight, Change of what is important, How you spend your time and thoughts)
Secrets, less time/energy for God/meetings/church, Avoiding support, avoiding accountability people, superficial conversations, isolating, changes in goals, obsessed with relationships, breaking promises/commitments, preoccupation with material things, procrastination, lying, feeling over-confident. Step 1 of “Dry” Relapse.
ANXIETY (Getting energy from Emotions) Worry, profanity, fearful, resentful, replaying old/negative thoughts, perfectionism, judging others’ motives, mind reading, fantasy, masturbation, codependent rescuing, sleep problems, trouble concentrating, seeking/creating drama, gossip, using pills to cope with pain, sleep and weight control problems. Step 2 of “Dry” Relapse.
SPEEDING UP (Out-running depression) Super-busy, workaholic, cannot relax, skipping meals, binge eating, overspending, cannot identify own feeling/needs, repetitive and negative thoughts, irritable, dramatic mood swings, lust, caffeine use up, over exercising, nervousness, cannot be alone, difficulty listening to others, avoiding support. Step 3 of “Dry” Relapse.
TICKED OFF (Running on anger, flight) Crisis in money/work, sabotaging relationships, sarcasm, overreacting, constant resentments, pushing others away, increased isolation, blaming, cannot take criticism, defensive, digestive problems, headaches, obsessive thoughts, cannot forgive, feeling grandiose. Step 4 of “Dry” Relapse.
EXHAUSTED (Out of gas) Depressed, panic, confused, hopeless, sleeping too much/too little, cannot cope, pessimistic, helpless, tired, numb, wanting to run, thinking of using, around old friends/places, completely isolated, people angry with you, self-abuse, suicidal thoughts, no goals, survival mode, not returning phone calls, missing work, irritability, seeking old friends. Step 5 of “Dry” Relapse.
