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. These complex conditions require comprehensive support, including medical care, mental health treatment, and education about recovery.
Recovering from addiction is a lifelong process. People in recovery must remain actively engaged in their recovery. Getting treatment and following an aftercare plan can reduce the risk of relapse. However, many people in recovery will experience at least one lapse or relapse at some point.
This article will explore recovery lapses and relapses. You will learn:
- The difference between a lapse and relapse
- The stages of a relapse
- Signs you need addiction treatment or relapse prevention support
- Where to find addiction treatment and recovery support
If you or a loved one needs treatment or addiction recovery support, you can find help at Archstone Behavioral Health. Contact our treatment team to learn about relapse prevention strategies or to explore our programs. Schedule an appointment or ask questions by reaching out today.
What is a Lapse?
Addiction is a serious, complex condition that can impact a person’s daily functioning, relationships, health, and more. Addiction treatment can help people overcome dependence on alcohol or other drugs. However, the recovery process does not end after rehab. People must learn and use health coping strategies to avoid a return to substance use.
A lapse is a setback that can occur among individuals in recovery. Most people in recovery will experience at least one lapse or relapse after rehab.
A lapse (sometimes known as a “slip”) is a term to describe a short period of substance use during recovery. A lapse is typically an isolated event that lasts just a short time. In most cases, lapses do not lead to a full-blown relapse.
Many things may lead to lapses. Exposure to triggers, excessive stress, cravings, and other things can cause someone to experience a lapse.
What is a Relapse?
A relapse is a complete return to substance use after a period of abstinence. A relapse may involve long-term substance use. During a relapse, people typically lose the progress they’ve made in recovery. They may lose control over their substance use and can develop physical dependence on drugs and alcohol again.
Relapses don’t typically happen “out of the blue.” In most cases, people go through stages of relapse before using drugs or alcohol again. Learning the signs of these stages can help people prevent a relapse from occurring.
It is important to note that a relapse is not the end of a person’s recovery journey. Instead, it is a setback that may indicate the need for additional support or treatment.
If you or a loved one needs help moving on after a relapse, contact the specialists at Archstone Behavioral Health to learn about our recovery support programs.
Lapse vs Relapse: What are the Differences?
The primary difference between a lapse and relapse is the severity. A lapse typically involves a brief period of substance use during recovery. People may “slip” for a moment or a day before immediately returning to their recovery plan.
A relapse is a more significant setback. During a relapse, people begin using drugs or drinking similarly to before they started a treatment program. They may abandon self-care and support networks as they lose control of their substance use.
It can be more challenging to move forward after a relapse. However, most people experience at least one relapse during recovery. It is important to get the treatment and support you need so that you can begin to work toward lifelong recovery again.
Understanding the Stages of a Relapse
Knowing the stages of a relapse may help you stop it in its tracks. Here is an overview of the stages of a relapse.
Emotional relapse
An emotional relapse may involve experiencing challenges or intense, uncomfortable emotions, including:
- Boredom
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Sadness
- Loneliness
- Disappointment
Overwhelming emotions can be the first sign of an emotional relapse. Other signs include:
- Neglecting self-care (eating poorly, isolating, not sleeping well)
- Missing meetings or appointments
- Feeling overwhelmed by stress or challenges
Recognizing these early warning signs can prevent it from turning into a relapse involving substance abuse.
Mental relapse
A mental relapse involves thinking about using drugs or alcohol again. During this stage of relapse, people may:
- Having happy memories of the times when they were drinking or using drugs
- Considering how, when, and where they’d drink or use drugs again
- Attempt to justify using drugs or drinking again (“I quit before, and I will do it again,” or “I deserve to drink because I’ve been working so hard,” etc.)
- Forget the negative impacts of substance abuse
Recognizing these signs may help individuals seek support and treatment before experiencing a physical relapse.
Physical relapse
A physical relapse includes drug or alcohol abuse. It also involves all activities that led up to it, such as calling a dealer or driving to the bar.
Find Treatment Now
A relapse isn’t the end of the road to recovery. However, a full-blown relapse can feel like a severe setback in addiction recovery. If you or someone you love struggles with challenges during recovery, find treatment and support at Archstone Behavioral Health. Contact our treatment specialists to ask questions or to schedule an intake appointment.
