Eating Disorder Recovery, Addressing the Fear of Relapse

Contributor: Amy M. Klimek, MA, LCPC, Director of Program Development, Eating Disorder Program Coordinator, Timberline Knolls

The idea of relapse for some is frightening. For others, their history of relapse has become a familiar imprisonment to their addiction. We know, with each relapse it becomes harder than the last, more difficult to overcome, while usually developing sooner than before. Whether it is familiar or not the fear of relapse is real.

Statistics often get thrown around that perpetuate fear of the possibility of relapse. Such as, “One in three women treated for an eating disorder will experience a relapse within two years from discharge,” or, “50-90 % of all those who struggle with an addiction will relapse within their first year”. If you are in a room with a group of individuals, you begin to count to see where you land. Are you in the top 50% and likely to relapse? Could you be that one person in the group of three that does not make it past an anniversary date? These are undoubtedly, fears we face on the road to recovery.

Let Us Talk About Fear of Relapse

It’s time we speak to the fear of relapse, not as something that has to happen. Relapse is not inevitable. Fear, as it turns out, is a fundamental part of making decisions. Fear highlights real dangers we face in our lives. In the context of relapse, it may cost you more time in treatment. It may cost you to lose the relationships that mean the most. It may cost you your life. This constitutes as legitimate fear.

Is It Fear We Want to Avoid or the Choices Behind Fear?

Fear requires you to take action to keep yourself safe. Instead avoiding fear, gather it up to take it with you as information. Use it as a source of reference regarding the choices you need to make in your recovery. Whether you are deciding to follow your meal plan, to purge or not after a meal, or isolate yourself to suffer alone; fear of knowing what will happen if you choose the addiction over recovery can help you pause, to think, and choose what path you will go on.

Can Fear Mean Freedom?

Recovery is one of the most rewarding and challenging choices to make. It is time we speak to the fear of relapse as a reason to push us beyond our recovery and use fear as a source of freedom. For those in recovery there is, without a doubt and for good reason, a fear of relapse. You have hit rock bottom, losing yourself to this disease. You have also survived your addiction. You have become resilient against the odds. The fear of returning to your suffering can keep you alive to share your journey with others.

So go to a meeting. Start a support group. Speak to relapse as not something to fear and instead as your resource to keep you alive. Share your fear with others, so they know they are not alone. Fear is not your weakness, it is your strength.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

If you have experienced fear in your recovery journey, what helped you overcome this?

About the Author: As the Eating Disorder Program Coordinator, Amy facilitates supervision for Eating Disorder Specialists, offers support through training to TK staff, and provides education on eating disorders to the community.

Amy started at Timberline Knolls as a Behavioral Health Specialist. As such, she provided support at the milieu level for all residents. She transitioned to Eating Disorder Specialist in 2012, supporting healing in present moment experiences for residents who struggled with eating disorders and body image. Amy earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from the University of Illinois. She was awarded a Master’s Degree in Counseling specializing in both community and school counseling from Lewis University.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 13, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com