How to recover from a relapse

SAMHSA’s National Helpline | SAMHSA

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SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Also visit the online treatment locator.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.

The service is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

English and Spanish are available if you select the option to speak with a national representative. Currently, the 435748 (HELP4U) text messaging service is only available in English.

In 2020, the Helpline received 833,598 calls. This is a 27 percent increase from 2019, when the Helpline received a total of 656,953 calls for the year.

The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.

The service is confidential. We will not ask you for any personal information. We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs.

No, we do not provide counseling. Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support.

Suggested Resources
What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families
Created for family members of people with alcohol abuse or drug abuse problems. Answers questions about substance abuse, its symptoms, different types of treatment, and recovery. Addresses concerns of children of parents with substance use/abuse problems.
It's Not Your Fault (NACoA) (PDF | 12 KB)
Assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, "It's not your fault!" and that they are not alone. Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list.

After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency Department
Aids family members in coping with the aftermath of a relative's suicide attempt. Describes the emergency department treatment process, lists questions to ask about follow-up treatment, and describes how to reduce risk and ensure safety at home.
Family Therapy Can Help: For People in Recovery From Mental Illness or Addiction
Explores the role of family therapy in recovery from mental illness or substance abuse. Explains how family therapy sessions are run and who conducts them, describes a typical session, and provides information on its effectiveness in recovery.
For additional resources, please visit the SAMHSA Store.

Last Updated: 08/30/2022

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

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Welcome to the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.

PLEASE NOTE: Your personal information and the search criteria you enter into the Locator is secure and anonymous. SAMHSA does not collect or maintain any information you provide.

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FindTreatment.
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Millions of Americans have a substance use disorder. Find a treatment facility near you.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988

Free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7.
National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Treatment referral and information, 24/7.
Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990

Immediate crisis counseling related to disasters, 24/7.

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The Locator is authorized by the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255, Section 9006; 42 U.S.C. 290bb-36d). SAMHSA endeavors to keep the Locator current. All information in the Locator is updated annually from facility responses to SAMHSA’s National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS). New facilities that have completed an abbreviated survey and met all the qualifications are added monthly. Updates to facility names, addresses, telephone numbers, and services are made weekly for facilities informing SAMHSA of changes. Facilities may request additions or changes to their information by sending an e-mail to [email protected], by calling the BHSIS Project Office at 1-833-888-1553 (Mon-Fri 8-6 ET), or by electronic form submission using the Locator online application form (intended for additions of new facilities).

how to deal with cancer recurrence➤ Oncogenotest

Even after successful cancer treatment, many patients live with the thought that the cancer may return. These experiences are completely understandable. Cancer progression or recurrence may occur weeks, months, or even years after therapy ends. Chances of recurrence may vary depending on age and general health, as well as a number of other factors, including:

type or subtype of cancer;
stages of primary cancer;
type of treatment;
remission period.

The news that the cancer has returned can cause you many new questions and emotions. And most importantly - the uncertainty of what lies ahead for you. Understanding what a cancer recurrence is and how to approach treatment will help you cope with your worries and reduce your anxiety.

What is cancer recurrence?

Relapse is the appearance of the same type of cancer after a certain period of time after treatment. Although it is possible to develop a completely new type of cancer that is not related to the original one, relapses are more common.

In other words, a relapse is a recurrence of the original disease. After treatment, a small amount of cancer cells may have remained undetectable by known tests. They can “hide” in bones or some organ. Over time, these cells can become active, begin to divide, and develop into detectable tumors.

Although cancer recurrence is generally unpredictable, aggressive cancers and those initially diagnosed in advanced stages tend to recur more frequently.

Types of cancer recurrence include:

Local recurrence - the cancer develops in the same location as the primary cancer.

Regional recurrence - the cancer develops in the lymph nodes or tissues near the primary site.

Metastasis, sometimes referred to as distant recurrence, is when cancer develops in organs or tissues far from the original site, most commonly in the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and bones.

Even if the cancer has spread to a new place, it is still named after the place where it first appeared. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the bones is breast cancer that has metastasized to the bones. Metastatic cancer is considered advanced if it aggressively spreads to many parts of the body, affects vital organs, or cannot be removed.

What about treatment?

If the cancer has returned, it does not mean that you received the wrong treatment or did something that could have caused a recurrence. Cancer can also return if you have taken active steps to reduce your risk of recurrence, such as eating right, exercising regularly, and seeing your doctor regularly for check-ups.

You may have heard that cancer is harder to cure a second time. However, cancer recurrence doesn't mean you don't have a chance. Advanced treatment methods and technologies, as well as clinical trials, provide new opportunities for the treatment of recurrent cancer and / or management of its symptoms.

Although localized cancer is easier to treat than regional or metastatic, all three have their options. Surgery and radiation therapy are common treatments for localized cancer. If the cancer appears in other organs, treatment may depend on the ability to remove it surgically. There may also be options for the use of various forms of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or immunotherapy.

Sometimes the goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Palliative care is designed to relieve cancer-related pain and other side effects and improve quality of life.

Your treatment options may depend on the type of cancer, your previous treatment, the length of time between initial diagnosis and recurrence, where the recurrence occurred, how far it has spread, your age, and your overall health. To make a choice, it is important to weigh the potential pros of a new treatment against the possible cons, such as side effects.

Adjusting to the News

The news of a cancer recurrence can be exciting for you and your loved ones. With the return of cancer comes the shock, fear, and uncertainty that accompanied your first diagnosis. You may wonder about your future, get frustrated at the thought of having to undergo treatment again. You may still be recovering physically and emotionally from your previous battle with illness. You may become disillusioned with your doctor or blame yourself for past treatment or lifestyle decisions. You may feel anxiety, sadness, guilt, despair, or anger. All of these feelings are a normal part of cancer recurrence.

Everyone treats cancer recurrence differently. While it may be difficult to accept the news at first, know that you are not alone.

Here are 10 tips to help you cope and feel stronger after learning about a cancer recurrence:

Acceptance. It's normal to wonder if you've done anything to make the cancer come back. But don't blame yourself. Try not to dwell on what could have been. Instead, try to accept the situation and use your inner strength to move forward.

Do what suits you. Your treatment goals for relapse and initial diagnosis may differ. Think about what's important to you right now and make informed decisions about your care. Report this to your doctor. Only you can decide what is best for you.

Set goals. Develop a plan to help you live your life to the fullest. Set both short term and long term goals. Make a plan for each day, such as taking a walk, making a phone call, having lunch with a friend, reading a chapter of a book, etc. This will take your mind off the constant thoughts of illness and make you feel productive and satisfied.

Use the lessons learned from the past. You have fought cancer before. This time you are more experienced and knowledgeable. Use what you have learned in the past to deal with the current situation. Remember, no matter how hard it is, you got through it. The coping skills you learned during your past treatment can give you the strength and confidence you need now.

Manage your symptoms. Symptoms of cancer recurrence can affect your quality of life. It is very important that you communicate with your healthcare provider who will help you deal with pain, fatigue, sleep problems, etc. Feeling better will also improve your mood.

Seek emotional support. It's okay to be angry and upset about a recurrence of cancer. To express these feelings, it is important to find support. In addition to your family and friends, people who have dealt with a recurrence of cancer and experienced what is happening to you now can help you. In addition to support groups, you can seek private psychological counseling.

Share with your loved ones. It may also take time for your loved ones to adjust to the news of your illness, come to terms with their feelings, and adjust to changing family roles. Remind your family and friends that you are still the same person you always were. Let them know that they can support you simply by listening to you and talking to you in a casual way.

Talk openly with your doctor. Be open about your needs and concerns. Take the time to discuss your options with your doctor and family members. Even if you're happy with your current doctor, take a second opinion to explore all the options available to you that you may not have known about. You must be confident in your decisions.

Do what you like. Try to participate in creative activities that you enjoy. For example, drawing, painting, music, and poetry can help you express yourself and relieve stress. You can also keep a diary, read books, watch movies, go fishing, and spend time with family and friends.

Keep hope. The return of the disease can change your outlook on life. It's important to keep hope. Hope for new treatment options, symptom relief, or good times with family and friends. Hope can motivate you and give you strength.

How can ONCOGENOTEST help?

The ONCOGENOTEST study allows you to determine the genetic profile of the tumor and, on its basis, select personalized therapy and evaluate the prognosis of the disease. Includes 411 gene sequencing, TMB analysis and a broad IHC panel.

This treatment approach is called personalized medicine because it is based on your unique genomic profile and type of cancer. The ONCOGENOTEST study can help your doctor prescribe targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy that are right for you.

References

https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2021/01/when-cancer-returns

how to deal with cancer recurrence➤ Oncogenotest

Even after successful cancer treatment, many patients live with the thought that the cancer might come back. These experiences are completely understandable. Cancer progression or recurrence may occur weeks, months, or even years after therapy ends. Chances of relapse may vary depending on age and general health, as well as a number of other factors, including:

type or subtype of cancer;
stages of primary cancer;
type of treatment;
remission period.