Recognizing Relapse

Most people have mistaken ideas about relapse. Relapse is not defined by alcohol or drug use itself.  Relapse is a process of increasing dysfunction in thoughts, feelings, and behavior that may end in alcohol or drug use following a period of active recovery. 

Relapse is like having a second heart attack that could have been prevented. While the second heart attack still needs to be treated, the real key to successful recovery is correcting the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that increased the patient’s susceptibility to get to this point again.

Relapse generally occurs when a person has left some positive action undone, or after (sometimes long after) abandoning some aspect of their recovery plan.  Please see: Common Thinking Errors Associated with Relapse.

The relapse process generally begins with a lifestyle imbalance that creates a high-risk situation. This is any situation, setting, or emotional state that increases your susceptibility to alcohol or drug use.  When your lifestyle is balanced, a situation may be low risk. With imbalance, that same situation can become high risk.

When the loss of balance creates a high risk situation, one of two things can happen. Either you respond inadequately, which moves you toward alcohol or drug use, or you recognize what is happening and respond appropriately, and move back toward balance and recovery.

Relapse is not so much doing something wrong, as it is not doing what is necessary.  Abstinence is necessary for initiating recovery.

Vulnerability to lifestyle imbalance and the relapse process fluctuates with the satisfaction you extract from your life.  Find activities you love, understand the relationships that are important to you, and invest time in developing them.  Practice stress management techniques.  Put yourself in the best possible personal and professional position to do what is necessary to facilitate the recovery process.