What is a Relapse?

A relapse occurs when an individual returns to former drug-using or drinking patterns and any motivation to return to a recovery lifestyle occurs weeks, months, or even years later. Relapse is a process that begins when you start slipping back into old behavior patterns. This process begins long before you take your first drink, drug or gamble. Because it is a disease, it is not uncommon to relapse in early recovery. If this happens to you, remember that it is just a small setback, and no reason to give up on having a chemical-free life.

Relapse Prevention Is Important

Early recovery is filled with change and unfamiliar feelings. This change can cause feelings of confusion and tension, which may leave you feeling incapable of handling problems. A support network of sober friends and mentors can be extremely helpful during this early stage.

When Do Relapses Occur?

During the first 90 days after withdrawing from alcohol, drugs or gambling people may experience some periods of poor memory or concentration, or they may overreact to stress. Approximately 2/3 of all relapses for any addiction occur within the first 90 days.

The good news is that the longer a person is abstinent, the better these things will get, but handling stress as it comes up is an important way to prevent relapse.  Not coping with stress is a major reason for relapse.

Recognize the Danger Signs

A return to alcohol and/or drug use does not just happen. There is a process leading to the return. When you begin to slip you go through changes that could lead to a possible relapse.

Some Danger Signs:

• You begin to isolate yourself from others and feel bored and lonely much of the time.
• You find yourself easily irritated and relationships become strained.
• You doubt your ability to stay abstinent.
• You act impulsively under stress, which causes even more stress.
• Your eating and sleeping patterns are disturbed and you cannot get things done.
• You cover up your feelings of unhappiness and helplessness.
• You frequently feel sorry for yourself.
• You begin to think that you can handle alcohol, drugs or gambling again and it will help you feel more at ease.

Triggers or High-Risk Situations

High-risk situations (Triggers) are those situations where you are most likely to relapse. Triggers might be people, places or things that remind you of the pleasure you had in your addiction.

Some Possible Triggers:

• When I pass a bar
• When I'm with others who are drinking, using drugs or gambling  
• When I feel no one really cares what happens to me  
• When I feel depressed
• When I feel I am being punished unjustly  
• When I feel afraid  
• When I'm on vacation   
• When I’m broke
• When I remember the good times when I was drinking, using drugs or gambling  

About Slips/Relapse

If an individual has a “slip”, this does not mean that they have forgotten everything they have learned in recovery.

A person who has a slip does not necessarily hate their friends or family.

The fact that a person has a slip does not mean that they had inadequate or substandard counseling for their addiction.

A person who has a slip is not necessarily unmotivated and the slip or lapse may be the event they need to achieve even greater motivation for recovery.

In Conclusion

Recovering from addiction takes time and effort. It is important to remember that recovery doesn't occur perfectly for anyone and there may be bumps during the recovery process.

Relapse should not be seen as a failure; it is part of a learning process that eventually leads to recovery.