Taking quick action can ensure that relapse is a part of recovery, not a detour from it. Recovery is a process of growth and (re)establishing a sustainable life. Experts in addiction recovery believe that relapse is a process that occurs somewhat gradually; it can begin weeks or months before picking up a drink or a drug.
Take control of your life
Unlike a lapse, which is a short-lived or one-off return, a relapse involves a full return to the addictive behaviour. Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards. The mental stage of a relapse happens when your thoughts start drifting to resuming substance use. Copyright © 2026, AddictionHelp.com The information provided by AddictionHelp.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice. View our editorial content guidelines to learn how we create helpful content with integrity and compassion. Has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years.
Concluding Thoughts on Relapse and Recovery
- A significant shift in perspective can transform how relapse is viewed—seeing it not as a definitive failure but as an integral aspect of the recovery process.
- Experts agree that addiction is a disease, yet the disease model doesn’t capture addiction’s harmful effects on others.
If a relapse occurs, we’re here to advise you on whether returning to treatment, through detox and rehab or outpatient therapy, is necessary. Dealing with difficult or stressful situations and circumstances can trigger your coping mechanisms. If you’ve previously relied on a particular substance or behaviour to manage stress, facing difficulties could increase the risk of relapse.
Physical relapse
Armed with such knowledge, you can develop a contingency plan to help you avoid or cope with such situations in the future. Once a person begins drinking or taking drugs, it’s hard to stop the process. Good treatment programs recognize the relapse process and teach people workable exit strategies from such experiences.
Strengthening Recovery Capital
Prolonged stress during childhood dysregulates the normal stress response and can lastingly impair emotion regulation and cognitive development. What is more, it can alter the sensitivity of the stress response system so that it overresponds to low levels of threat, making people feel easily overwhelmed by life’s normal difficulties. Research shows a strong link between ACEs and opioid drug abuse as well as alcoholism. Sleep deprivation addiction relapse undermines recovery in indirect ways as well. And it robs people of the energy needed to rebuild their life. Cravings occur because the human brain has remarkable powers of association.
A relapse prevention plan spells out things you can do when you feel you’re at risk of relapse, and the ways you can manage or avoid your most powerful triggers. There’s often a negative perception that surrounds relapse. While no one wants to experience a relapse, it can be a normal part of the addiction recovery process. Thankfully, you can get back on track after a relapse happens. Getting back on track can look different for everyone, but it may mean recommitting to aftercare programs or returning to treatment.
Triggers and Risk Factors Leading to Relapse
Responding to relapse involves practical safety steps followed by structured reflection and support reconnection. The focus shifts from judgment to understanding contributing factors and strengthening protective strategies for the path forward. If you or a loved one want the best possible start to a lifetime of sobriety, consider a stay at Sana at Alcoholics Anonymous Stowe in Vermont.