What Are the Stages of Relapse?

Addiction recovery is not a final destination. Instead, it is a lifelong process that requires patience, dedication, and a lot of support. The road to addiction recovery is not often straightforward, and most people experience setbacks and challenges along the way. For some, a relapse may be part of their recovery journey.

A relapse occurs when someone who has been sober for some time begins to use drugs or alcohol again. Many factors contribute to a relapse, and they are rarely a single moment In time.  A relapse typically occurs in stages with distinct features and signs. Understanding the stages of relapse can help you recognize the need for more support and get back on track in your recovery sooner.

If you or someone you love requires support during recovery or you want to explore a sober living home, reach out to the New You Sober Living staff to get started.

What Leads to a Relapse?

While it can sometimes seem like a relapse has come out of the blue, this is typically not the case. People who relapse often go through several stages before actually using drugs or alcohol again.

Many factors can contribute to relapse, including:

• Stress
• Peer pressure
• Cravings
• Overwhelming emotions
• Boredom
• Denial

Substance abuse treatment programs can give people new, healthy ways to cope with stress, challenging emotions, and setbacks in life. However, many people need additional support or skills to manage the challenges that arise as recovery progresses.

Recognizing the stages of relapse can help you identify a problem and seek help before you begin using drugs and alcohol again. When you can recognize the stages of relapse, you can turn a potentially harmful situation around and get back on track with your sobriety.

Identifying the Stages of Relapse

There are three distinct stages to a relapse: emotional, mental, and physical. Each stage has recognizable signs. Here is a guide to recognizing the stages of relapse.

Emotional relapse

Emotional relapse is usually the first stage of a relapse. During an emotional relapse, a person may experience negative emotions that may feel overwhelming. People in an emotional relapse may stop using the healthy coping strategies they learned in rehab.

Some signs of an emotional relapse include:

• Isolating from your support system
• Binge eating, skipping meals, or eating a poor diet
• Sleeping irregularly or not sleeping enough
• Neglecting your hygiene
• Skipping therapy and medical appointments or meetings

If people do not get help during the emotional stages of relapse, they are more likely to progress toward the next stage.

Mental Relapse

During a mental relapse, people begin to actively consider using drugs or alcohol again. Instead of focusing on recovery, they may fantasize about using drugs or drinking, or they might start planning how and when they’ll use substances.

During a mental relapse, people may try to justify their substance use or think about how this time will be different. They may say or think things like:

• “I’ll just drink while I’m on vacation.”
• “I deserve to use drugs since I’ve done such a good job so far.”
• “If I could quit once, I can quit again.”

A mental relapse often occurs in the time just before a physical relapse. It’s essential for people to recognize the stages of relapse and take action to prevent sliding toward a physical relapse.

During a mental relapse, people should use the tools they have learned to “ride the wave” of a craving or urge to use substances. Calling a sponsor or friend, using mindfulness techniques, or attending a meeting can help people cope with their intense feelings until they pass.

Physical Relapse

The final stage of relapse is a physical relapse. The physical relapse includes using drugs and alcohol, but it also includes all the actions that lead to the substance use. This may include driving to the liquor store, sitting at the bar, or calling your dealer.

A relapse does not have to be the end of your recovery journey. People who use a physical relapse to learn about areas where they need more support can go on to have long-lasting, meaningful recovery.

It is crucial to think about the relapse honestly and evaluate what led to it. You may ask yourself:

• What was my emotional state in the period leading up to the relapse?
• Are there any new challenges that require more support or education?
• Do I need more coping skills to deal with new challenges?

A relapse may be a sign that you need more support, including more treatments or a more robust recovery community. It is crucial to get back on track after a relapse so that you can continue to work toward the healthier, sober life you choose.

Find Help Now

If you are someone you love need more support during addiction recovery to avoid relapse or get back on track after a relapse, reach out to the new you sober living team now. Our sober living programs are designed to help people stay focused on recovery, create effective relapse prevention plans, and learn the skills they need to reach their personal goals. Call today to get started.