Overcoming relapse: Strategies for bouncing back stronger in recovery

What Causes Relapse?

Causes of relapse are individual in nature. What leads one person down the path of re-engaging in substance use may be entirely different for another. Still, there are certain risk factors to be aware of, such as:

• Feelings of shame and regret – Often, feelings of shame and regret can lead to isolation, as they separate a person from their recovery community.
• Triggers and lack of coping skills – Not knowing how to face or handle triggers can lead to relapse. Discussing how to navigate these triggers with a person’s recovery community will benefit their chances of long-term sobriety.
• Low motivation for maintaining sobriety – If a person does not want to change their lifestyle or still has
• positive feelings about substance use, it will be more challenging for them to maintain sobriety.
• Lack of emotional and social support – Without emotional and social support, a person is more prone to isolation and having inadequate recovery-oriented support.
• Insufficient changes in environmental factors – Continuing to frequent environments where a person formerly used substances can lead to relapse due to peer pressure or simply falling into old habits.

Often, when a person is headed toward a relapse, signs or changes in behaviour can appear well before the actual relapse. With the help of a person’s recovery community, these signs can be identified and worked through before relapse occurs:

Signs of a relapse may include:

• Self-isolation
• Poor self-care
• Romanticizing past substance use
• Experiencing cravings for substances

• Sleep problems
• Change in eating habits
• Feelings of anxiety or depression
• Cessation of treatment medication

What To Do When You Relapse

If a relapse happens, take a deep breath and know this is something that can occur during recovery.

The relapse is often an indicator of an issue that was not previously addressed, so this is the time when it can be explored and, if appropriate, treated by a professional. A few questions to consider after a relapse has occurred are:

• Is Detox Needed?

Some substances, such as alcohol, can be dangerous to detox from alone without medical intervention. Therefore seeking professional help with a detox is adviceable.

• Do I Need To Be In Treatment?

Inpatient and outpatient services are available, and treatment facilities will be happy to conduct an assessment to identify what level of care would be most appropriate.

• What Happened That Caused the Relapse?

Many times, thoughts of relapse or changes in lifestyles occur well before the incident. While there might have been one incident that pushed an individual to relapse, its possible risk factors had been there for a while.

What Is The Addiction Recovery Process Like After A Relapse?

The addiction recovery process after a relapse might be easier than early recovery.

After a relapse, you know what works and what does not work in recovery. You have experience in addiction treatment. Now, you have a better sense of your triggers, know who you can go to, and what you can do.

Unlike your first stay at a treatment center, now you know how to get on the right track. You also know that you can get on the right path.

You’ve done this before, and you will get through it again.

• Continuing outpatient therapy services
• Treatment for underlying mental health issues, including psychiatric care and medication
• Involving family members in your support system and treatment planning
• Getting into a social support group, such as:

• 12-Step Meetings, like Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous
• SMART Recovery
• Support groups for other addictive behaviours, like video games or

• Creating structure and accountability:
  • How will you and your loved ones hold you accountable for your recovery?
  • How often will you attend therapy, support group meetings, and other activities to keep you on the right path?

Don’t wait to create a relapse prevention plan. You might be in denial of the possibility of a future relapse. Addiction, like all chronic diseases, carries the risk of relapse.