Causes of Relapse and How to Stay Clean and Sober

  • March 24, 2025
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The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. It should not be used in place of the https://tuedicto.com/pros-and-cons-of-sober-living-homes-an-in-depth/ advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Cognitive therapy is one of the main tools for changing people’s negative thinking and developing healthy coping skills 9,10. The effectiveness of cognitive therapy in relapse prevention has been confirmed in numerous studies 11. Addiction often develops because people use drugs or alcohol to feel better about their current situation.

Practice coping strategies for triggers

Understanding the difference between a lapse and a relapse is crucial for addiction and recovery. While these terms may sound similar, they represent distinct stages in the process of substance use. Being able to differentiate between the two can help individuals in recovery recognize and respond appropriately to their behaviors, ultimately aiding in maintaining long-term sobriety. The Grove Editorial Team is a dynamic group of professionals at The Grove, a leading addiction treatment center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

What to Do When You Experience a Relapse

Leaving behind the all-or-nothing approach helps people take a more rounded view of their recovery and limit reactionary emotions. It’s key to remember that these are not failures and shouldn’t be termed as such. Obstacles in recovery are often caused by insufficient coping skills or an inability to plan effectively. These issues can be fixed, and people should learn to challenge their outlook by giving equal attention to past successes. Scheduling can also get stressful, as patients in treatment or aftercare may think about skipping therapy or support group meetings to attend family events they consider obligatory.

what is a relapse in addiction

Regularly review your plan

what is a relapse in addiction

Instead, it serves as an opportunity for growth and reassessment of strategies, allowing a deeper understanding of personal triggers and emotional management in maintaining long-term sobriety. Relapse is a common occurrence in recovery, and it is important to seek treatment if a relapse occurs. Treatment typically involves a period of detoxification, as well as individual and group therapy. Additionally, individuals in recovery may benefit from medications that can reduce cravings and help to manage withdrawal symptoms. It occurs in approximately 70-90% of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders, and can occur even after many years of successful abstinence. Recovery after relapse will be similar to your initial substance abuse treatment.

  • Important milestones such as recovery anniversaries are often seen as reasons to use.
  • The problem is, they shape how people see themselves and how others treat them, often adding shame and stigma instead of support.
  • The most important rule of recovery is that a person does not achieve recovery by just not using.
  • Enlist the help of a friend, counselor or sponsor to get down the triggers you may not think of right off the bat.

Signs and Symptoms Exhibited in Each Stage

what is a relapse in addiction

Relapse can occur at any phase of a person’s sobriety but addiction relapse is most common in the early stages of addiction recovery. Individuals in the early recovery process deal with cravings and a range of new emotions. A relapse is using a substance (like alcohol or drugs) that you’re trying to avoid or have quit. Usually, it means resuming using a substance that causes addiction. These days, healthcare providers prefer to call it returning to substance use. Utilizing your support network can be an important part of your prevention plan.

  • A relapse occurs when an individual who has been sober starts using substances again.
  • At Recovery Guide, our mission is to connect as many individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders to reputable treatment facilities.
  • There is also a colloquial term known as “freelapse,” where individuals accidentally consume drugs or alcohol without their knowledge.
  • The researchers concluded that avoiding people, places and objects that recall former substance abuse is crucial to maintaining recovery.

We adhere to strict accuracy guidelines and only reference credible sources when providing information on our website. To learn more about our addiction treatment program for individuals who have relapsed, contact Carolina Alcoholics Anonymous Center for Recovery today. If you experience a relapse, the first thing you should do is have compassion for yourself. Beating yourself up over a relapse will only make your substance abuse worse, as guilt and shame feed an addiction. Once you have forgiven yourself, it’s time to reach out for help. The simple definition of relapse is abusing drugs or alcohol after you are sober for some time.

  • You might want to write a list of friends or family members you can call when you are experiencing cravings or challenging situations.
  • At Priory, our nationwide network of addiction treatment centres can help you get back on track after a relapse.
  • Another goal of therapy at this stage is to help clients identify their denial.

In the U.S. alone, 25 million Americans were estimated to currently be in recovery in the recent U.S. Surgeon General’s report (Department of Health and Human Services, 2017). Collectively, a sizable body of evidence suggests that, rather than a chronic pattern of relapse, stable remission is a common outcome and may in fact be the most common course. Relapse, often perceived negatively, can serve as a crucial learning experience in recovery. When individuals experience a relapse, it highlights the need to reassess their coping mechanisms and support systems. Each relapse can uncover specific triggers, whether they are emotional, mental, or environmental, that led to a temporary return to substance use.

Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. What many do https://ecosober.com/ not know, however, is how much control you have over your life by simply changing your breathing patterns. Breathing is not only connected to various essential functions throughout your body, but it also has a large effect on your brain chemistry. Breathing greatly impacts your emotions and helps regulate your overall mood.

About Samba Recovery

Ultimately, resilience and a well-rounded approach combining coping skills and support are central to minimizing the risk of relapse. Addiction myths are false or misleading beliefs about addiction that get repeated so often they start to sound like facts. These myths can come from society, media, treatment programs, or even well-meaning friends and family. The problem is, they shape how people see themselves and how others treat them, often adding shame and stigma instead of support. If you or a loved one has experienced a relapse, you can speak with your doctor or similar healthcare provider for medical advice about what treatment option you might need to get back on track. You can succeed in long-term relapse prevention through positive life changes that become healthy habits.

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