Progress – and recovery – isn’t always linear. Many alcoholics suffer one or more relapse episodes during their rehabilitation, often due to a lack of techniques to avoid the inevitable temptations of daily life. In this blog, we’ll explore why alcoholics relapse, explore coping skills and techniques proven to prevent relapse, and why resilience matters.
What Is Relapse?
A relapse occurs when an individual returns to using alcohol or narcotics after starting an avoidance program. It’s a return to using drugs or alcohol you’ve tried to quit, specifically a substance that causes addiction.
Relapse may look different for each individual. Most relapses deal with a return to the substance the person vowed to quit (ex. abstaining from alcohol), or taking up a new substance that is equally damaging (ex. an alcoholic using heroin or another drug) or illegal.
Slip vs. Relapse
While programs may have different definitions for each term, slips and relapses are generally considered varying degrees of a return to substance abuse.
- A slip is usually considered a one-time use episode, such as a single drink or an evening of binge drinking.
- A relapse is often a multi-episode or prolonged period of substance abuse.
It’s important to remember that having a slip or relapse does not mean you’re a failure. Recovery isn’t an all-or-nothing process; it’s a lifelong effort full of ups and downs. Don’t let a slip or relapse define your recovery or who you are as a person.
Why Do Alcoholics Relapse?
There are many possible triggers for a relapse, and every individual has their reasons. Some of the most common relapse triggers include:
- Environment: Being around people from your past or revisiting a place you used to use can be triggering and may be considered high-risk.
- Health changes: Increased physical or mental pain may spur an urge to use as a coping mechanism.
- Holidays: Holidays or important dates may cause a relapse, especially tragic events such as anniversaries, divorce dates, or birthdays.
- Stress: New jobs, money problems, or changes to family and relationships are all common triggers to drink or use.
How Often Do Alcoholics Relapse?
Between 40-90% of individuals with a diagnosed use disorder will relapse at least once, and most relapses occur (roughly 66%) in the first 6-12 months of sobriety. If you’re frustrated by a slip or relapse, take comfort in the fact that most individuals will try two or three times before sobriety truly sticks. Don’t give up – focus on the long-term benefits of sobriety and imagine your life without the weight of substance abuse dragging you down.
Read More: What to Expect at an AA Meeting
What to Say to Someone Who Relapsed
If a friend or loved one suffered a relapse, it’s important to refocus their energy on sobriety, not their mistake. It’s often best to ask if they’d like to talk about the incident and always encourage them to speak with a sponsor or AA group as soon as possible.
You can support them. Here are a few things to say to an alcoholic who has recently relapsed:
- You are not a failure.
- I know you are still focused on being sober.
- I will support you.
- I want to help you. Please tell me how I can.
What Not to Say to Someone Who Has Relapsed
Negativity, blame, and disappointment aren’t helpful. It’s also highly unlikely you are as disappointed as they are in themselves. Avoid any questioning or judgmental phrases, like:
- You were doing great. What happened?
- That’s so disappointing.
Proven Relapse Prevention Techniques
Treatment, whether through AA, therapy, or other programs, is the key to preventing relapse. Addiction is extremely difficult to overcome, and the best way to avoid an alcohol relapse is to lean on professional treatment programs in the critical first twelve months of recovery.
Some relapse prevention activities include:
- Attending 12-step programs
- Engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Living in a sober living facility
These efforts are often included in a relapse prevention plan, which may also address stress, environment, motivation, and other factors. Developing strong coping skills for relapse prevention is at the heart of organizations like AA and other treatment facilitators.
Avoid Relapse in Recovery with MeetingMaker
MeetingMaker is committed to helping individuals avoid relapse by making meeting attendance simple. Our goal is to make AA meeting attendance verification simple with a low-cost, digital alternative to paper sheets. It’s one way we hope to bring dignity, privacy, and respect to the recovery process.
Download the app for iOS or Google Play, or schedule a demo to learn more about MeetingMaker.