Relapse in Addiction

Relapse is one of the uppermost concerns for anyone recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. The journey to sustained sober living is seldom linear, and setbacks can occur—more than half of those in recovery relapse at least once.  That said, renewed treatment typically helps people get back on track.

This page explores what relapse is and why it happens, outlines the stages of relapse and the warning signs to look out for. You’ll also discover how to recover if a relapse occurs.

What is Relapse?

Relapse is when someone returns to drug or alcohol use after a period of sober living. It can be a single use—known as a lapse—or a full return to regular substance use. Studies show that relapse rates for substance use disorders are between 40 and 60%, similar to other chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

Relapse doesn’t mean that treatment has failed. Instead, it signals that adjustments to the recovery plan are needed. Addiction—substance use disorder—is a long-term condition, and it requires ongoing management like other chronic diseases.

Why Does Relapse Happen?

Many factors can drive relapse, including:

• Triggers: People, places, or situations that remind someone of past substance use can reignite cravings.
• Stress: High stress, especially in the absence of healthy coping mechanisms, can provoke relapse.
• Unresolved emotional pain: Feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, or depression can push someone back to substance use as a form of self-medication.
• Overconfidence: Some people believe they can control their use of drugs or alcohol or feel that they’ve recovered. This can lead them to test their limits, bringing about relapse.
• Lack of support: Recovery calls for a strong support system. Isolation increases the risk of relapse.

The Stages of Relapse

Relapse is not a single event that happens out of the blue. It’s a gradual process that unfolds over three distinct stages. Developing an awareness of these stages can help people identify the warning signs and stave off a return to substance use.

1) Emotional relapse

At this stage, the person is not actively thinking about using drugs or alcohol, but their behaviors and emotions set the stage for relapse. Signs of emotional relapse include:

• Bottling up emotions
• Isolating from others
• Poor self-care
• Skipping therapy or support meetings

Someone in this stage of relapse might not realize they are at risk. Maintaining healthy habits and staying connected to support networks is integral to successful and meaningful recovery—it helps to minimize the risk of relapse.

2) Mental relapse

During this stage, an internal struggle begins. Part of the person wants to remain sober, but another part is considering substance use. Signs of mental relapse include:

• Craving drugs or alcohol
• Thinking about past substance use in a positive light
• Seeking opportunities to relapse
• Justifying or making excuses for potential substance use

Without professional intervention, mental relapse often triggers the final stage: physical relapse.

3) Physical relapse

This is the point at which the person uses drugs or alcohol again. It might start as a single use. Without immediate action, this can lead to full relapse, where substance use becomes regular again.

Warning Signs of Relapse

Recognizing the early signs of relapse can prevent it from progressing. Common warning signs include:

• Increased stress, anxiety, or depression
• Avoiding support groups, therapy, or sober friends
• Romanticizing past substance use
• Feeling like recovery isn’t working
• Isolating from loved ones
• Sudden changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels
• Returning to places or people connected to past substance use

How to Prevent Relapse

Although relapse can be a part of the recovery process for many, there are ways to reduce the risk. Prevention strategies include:

Identify triggers and high-risk situations

Understanding personal triggers for substance use can help avoid situations that increase the urge to use drugs or alcohol. Common triggers include stress, conflict, social pressure, and certain places or people. Creating a plan to handle these stressors is integral to staying sober long-term.

Develop health coping strategies

Instead of turning to drugs or alcohol during difficult moments, individuals can develop healthier ways to cope, such as:

• Exercising
• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Journaling
• Engaging in hobbies
• Talking to a therapist
• Attending a support group

Build a strong support network

Having a reliable support system makes a huge difference in recovery. This might include:

• Family and friends who support sobriety
• 12-step or non-12-step groups
• A therapist or counselor
• A sponsor or mentor in recovery

Stick to a structured routine

Boredom and lack of structure can lead to relapse. Maintaining a daily schedule that includes work, hobbies, self-care, and recovery activities helps create stability.

Take care of physical and mental health

Physical and mental well-being are directly linked to addiction recovery. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising, and managing mental health conditions like anxiety or depression can help prevent relapse.

What to Do If a Relapse Occurs

A relapse doesn’t erase the progress someone has made. Instead of seeing relapse as a failure, it should be viewed as an opportunity to learn and adjust the recovery plan. Here ae some steps to take after a relapse.

Reach out for support

The first fundamental step is to talk to a trusted friend, family member, sponsor, or therapist. Isolation often inflames the situation, so reach out for help without hesitation.

Identify what led to the relapse

You can help prevent future relapses by understanding what prompted a return to substance use, whether stress, a specific trigger, or a lack of support. Identifying the root cause allows for better preparation moving forward.

Get back on track immediately

The sooner action is taken, the better. Taking quick steps to re-commit to recovery—attending a support meeting, calling a therapist, or re-entering treatment, for instance—helps minimize damage.

Avoid self-blame

Guilt and shame can lead to further substance use. Instead of dwelling on the mistake, it’s much more productive to focus on moving forward and learning as much as possible from the experience.

Adjust the recovery plan

A relapse might suggest that something in the recovery plan needs to change. This could mean:

• Increasing therapy sessions
• Changing daily routines
• Finding a new support group
• Addressing underlying mental health issues

Treatment Options After a Relapse

If relapse becomes a pattern or is challenging to overcome alone, consider professional treatment. Options include:

Outpatient treatment

Outpatient programs provide therapy and support while allowing people to maintain daily responsibilities at work or school. This option works best for those who need additional help but don’t require continuous supervision.

Inpatient treatment

Individuals struggling with severe relapse or high-risk situations may find that inpatient rehab offers a more structured environment with medical and psychological support.

MAT (medication-assisted treatment)

Some people benefit from medications that help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. MAT is commonly used to manage opioid and alcohol addictions.

Support Groups and Therapy

Returning to or increasing participation in support groups like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous), or SMART Recovery can help reinforce sobriety. Individual therapy may also help address emotional triggers driving substance use.

Moving Forward After Relapse at Anchored Recovery

Relapse doesn’t signify failure. Instead, it’s a sign that the recovery plan needs tweaking. Learning from the experience, seeking additional support, and making changes can help someone reassert control and continue their path to sustained sobriety rather than allowing relapse to derail the process.

Regardless of how many times you have relapsed, we can help you get back on track at Anchored Recovery Community. We treat all addictions in an outpatient setting at our beachside facility, enabling you or a loved one to live at home while getting effective, science-backed therapy around your existing obligations.When you’re ready to double back down on recovery, get immediate assistance by calling (844) 429-5554.

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