Millions of people in the United States live with substance use disorder (SUD). Substance abuse and addiction can impact every part of a person’s life, including their mental, physical, and social health.
Comprehensive treatment can help people identify and overcome the complex roots of their substance use. However, treatment doesn’t “cure” addiction. People must continue to engage in recovery after completing rehab.
The majority of people in addiction recovery will experience at least one relapse. A relapse occurs when someone begins using addictive substances again after a period of abstinence. Relapses can feel like a significant setback in a person’s recovery process.
Relapses do not typically occur out of the blue. In most cases, people progress through stages of relapse before actually using drugs or alcohol again. Understanding these stages can help people get the help they need to stop a relapse before it progresses.
This article will explore the stages of relapse. You will learn:
- What a relapse is
- What may trigger a relapse
- The stages of relapse
- Where to find addiction treatment and recovery support
If you or someone you love needs treatment or recovery support, you are not alone. Find treatment and recovery support at Archstone Behavioral Health. Contact our treatment specialists to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
What Can Trigger a Relapse?
A relapse may feel like a significant setback in a person’s recovery process. While common, people who relapse may wonder if they are capable of truly overcoming their addiction.
Understanding what can trigger a relapse may help people understand and prevent them more effectively. Relapses may occur for many reasons. Here is an overview of common relapse triggers.
Stress
Stress is one of the most common relapse triggers. Many things can cause stress, including:
- Financial worries
- Health concerns
- Work
- Family and relationship problems
- Mental health challenges
These and other challenges can lead to stress and anxiety that may trigger a relapse. In many cases, people may have used drugs or alcohol to reduce or avoid stress. In sobriety, people may feel overwhelmed by these challenges.
Relationship issues
Many people leave rehab believing their relationship problems will disappear now that they’re sober. However, relationship problems may remain or get worse in recovery. People may have to face the harm they caused while using drugs or drinking, or work to rebuild trust with their loved ones.
Not enough coping skills
Addiction is a complex condition that involves a person’s mind, body, behaviors, relationships, and more. Only addressing the physical aspects of addiction isn’t enough. People must explore the roots of their substance use and learn new coping skills to manage stress and challenges.
Many people leave rehab before they’ve had a chance to learn adequate coping skills. People may also face new, overwhelming challenges in recovery. Not having enough coping skills to manage these challenges can increase the risk of a relapse.
Contact the Archstone Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about relapse triggers or to explore our treatment programs.
What are the Three Stages of Relapse?
Relapses typically occur in stages. Understanding these stages can help people prevent relapses from progressing.
Here is an overview of the stages of relapse.
Stage 1: Emotional relapse
An emotional relapse is the first stage of relapse. During an emotional relapse, people may experience overwhelming stress, mental health symptoms, and other challenges. People may disengage from treatment or recovery strategies. They may give up using preventative strategies, including mental health care and recovery support.
Some signs of emotional relapse include:
- Skipping meetings or appointments
- Isolating more frequently
- Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too little or too much)
- Changes in eating patterns (not eating regularly, bingeing, or mainly eating unhealthy foods)
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Not taking care of themself (neglecting hygiene, not completing everyday chores, etc)
Recognizing the warning signs of emotional relapse can help people get treatment to stop a relapse from progressing.
Stage 2: Mental relapse
A mental relapse involves thinking about using drugs or drinking again. People may daydream about what it would be like to drink or use drugs again. They may feel nostalgic about substance abuse, justify a return to substance use, or begin planning how and when to use.
Signs of a mental relapse include:
- Making excuses for using drugs or drinking again: “I was able to stop before, so I could do it again.”
- Justifying substance use: “I have been good lately, so I deserve it.” “I was never as bad as other people when I was drinking or using drugs.”
- Planning substance use: “I will only drink on my birthday.” “I will just have one drink.”
If people do not get help during emotional and mental relapse, they are at high risk for a physical relapse.
Stage 3: Physical relapse
A physical relapse involves using substances and all actions leading up to it, such as driving to the bar or calling a dealer.
Knowing the stages of emotional, mental, and physical relapse can help people recognize early warning signs and seek the support they need to stop it in its tracks.
Contact the Archstone Behavioral Health specialists to learn about relapse prevention planning or explore our treatment programs.
Find Treatment and Recovery Support
If you or someone you love needs recovery support or treatment, you are not alone. Find support groups, treatment programs, and relapse prevention resources at Archstone Behavioral Health. Contact our intake team to learn about your treatment options or to schedule an intake appointment.
