Is There a Link Between Unemployment and Relapse?
There is often talk about the “new normal” and how even when this pandemic passes, things won’t ever be quite the way they were. People may still choose to socially distance, wear masks out in public, or even forgot any kind of social activity altogether.
In fact, there is a large group of Americans that believe we are jumping the gun when it comes to returning to normal life.
With everyday life still on hold, there are millions of Americans who find themselves out of work for the foreseeable future. Who knows when those jobs will start coming back?
For a long time, researchers have wondered if there is a link between unemployment and relapse. And if so, which one comes first? Does unemployment lead to relapse or does relapse lead to unemployment?
Let’s dive into this classic chicken and the egg scenario.
There’s a Long History Between Unemployment and Relapse
As stated above, this has been a long-running question for researchers, with one of the first studies having taken place 30 years ago.
Since then, there have been over 100 studies examining the topic to see if there is a real link between the two.
The general consensus between these studies is there is a strong link between unemployment and relapse, but it comes with plenty of caveats.
First, the data comes with plenty of errors as many people may feel embarrassed or shame in admitting they experienced relapse so the numbers don’t always back up the proposed hypothesis.
Second, the studies aren’t overly conclusive on which issue leads to the other. Does unemployment lead to relapse more or is it vice versa?
The Result May Not Surprise You
The simple answer is that both play a significant role in affecting the other. Those that are unemployed are more likely to experience relapse and those who experience relapse are more likely to find themselves out of a job.
But…one does seem to have a bigger effect than the other.
One 2011 study showed that becoming unemployed immediately increased the risk of relapse after treatment. In fact, even the fear or prospect of losing a job also increased the risk over time.
Those who are in recovery are more likely to experience relapse if they are to become unemployed.
What Can You Do if You’re in this Situation?
Losing a job is hard for everyone, no matter where you find yourself. In the past, we’ve talked about how to avoid relapse with tools and some helpful tips.
If you need more help in your fight for recovery, reach out to us at The Walker Center and we will help you with whatever you’re struggling with.
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