If you struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, you are not alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.5 million people had a substance use disorder in 2023.[1]
The best way to recover from addiction is to attend a drug and alcohol rehab center. Addiction treatment programs offer you services like medical detox, evidence-based behavioral therapies, and relapse prevention planning to prepare you to maintain your sobriety independently. While one round of rehab works for some people, others might need extra support.
Relapse occurs when you return to substance misuse after a period of abstinence. Some people only use drugs once when they relapse, while others go on full-blown benders.
If you relapse after completing an addiction treatment program, you might need to go back to rehab. Relapse is an indicator that you did not learn the necessary skills you needed to stay sober long-term.
In this article, you will learn:
- Why would someone need to attend rehab more than once?
- What is an addiction relapse?
- Do you always have to return to addiction treatment after a relapse?
Why Would Someone Go to Rehab Multiple Times?
Addiction is considered a complex and chronic disease. Like every chronic disease, symptoms can reemerge after a period of recovery. If someone begins abusing drugs and alcohol after they’ve completed an addiction treatment program, they might have to return to rehab to get better.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 40 to 60% of people with addiction experience a relapse.[2] While it is possible to maintain long-term sobriety without relapsing, sometimes it is simply a part of the recovery process.
You might need to return to rehab if you have been abusing drugs or alcohol for an extended period, rather than simply slipping up once. If you’ve developed a new physical dependence on a substance, you are going to need medical detox services at the very least.
Some people attend rehab multiple times because relapse is common among individuals in recovery from addiction, and going back to treatment can lessen the chances of relapse in the future.
What is Considered a Relapse?
In recovery, there are lapses and relapses. A singular return to drug or alcohol use characterizes lapses. If you experience a lapse, that means you only abuse substances one time before returning to sobriety.
On the other hand, relapses are considered returning to the level of substance abuse you were engaging in before you got sober. This means you might be using drugs or alcohol every day at an intense level. Oftentimes, relapses cause you to redevelop a physical and psychological dependency.
It is also important to note that there are stages to relapse, including:
- Emotional Relapse – You won’t even be thinking about using drugs and alcohol at this stage. Instead, your emotions and behaviors are setting you up for substance use down the road. You might experience intense negative emotions, stop engaging in self-care, and push away your support system.
- Mental Relapse – When you do not address an emotional relapse, it turns into a mental one. During this stage, it is common to fantasize about substance abuse and look for ways to justify using drugs and alcohol. You might make plans for how you will drink alcohol or do drugs without getting caught.
- Physical Relapse – Lastly, the physical relapse stage occurs when you drink alcohol or do drugs. It can last a few days, weeks, months, or even years.
It is possible to stop a relapse when you are in the emotional or mental stages. Once you notice you are not feeling well emotionally, stop engaging in recovery maintenance techniques, and have urges to abuse substances, you need to reach out for support.
Does Everyone Who Relapses Need to Return to Rehab?
Since relapses can vary in severity, not everyone needs to return to rehab. For example, if you only experience a lapse (use substances one time), you might be able to get back on track by doubling down on therapy sessions and addiction support groups.
However, if you have relapsed for several days, weeks, or months, you are going to need rehab to regain control over your life. Relapses tend to worsen the disease of addiction as you will be feeling guilt, shame, and even anger. These emotions make it harder to get back to long-term recovery, often requiring assistance from mental health professionals in a rehab program.
If you need to return to rehab, you should avoid feeling like you’ve failed. Sometimes, relapse is a necessary part of the recovery journey. Going back to treatment will ensure you develop the healthy coping skills and relapse prevention strategies you need to be successful in addiction recovery.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center
If you or a loved one suffers from chronic relapse, it’s time to seek professional help. Whether this is your first or third time attending addiction treatment, Archstone Behavioral Health is here to offer you the tools and support you need to achieve long-lasting sobriety.
Helping people overcome addiction is more than a job for us at Archstone Behavioral Health; the work we do brings us to life. Getting to know patients at their lowest point and watching them rebuild their lives gives us immense pride and gratitude for every single second we spend here on this earth.
Contact us today for more information on how our drug and alcohol rehab can help you overcome a relapse.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Highlights for the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): The Science of Addiction Treatment and Recovery
