Relapse Definition in Addiction

relapse from recovery - woman drinking unhappily
Relapse definition - female crying in group therapy

Relapse is a common and often disheartening part of the addiction recovery journey. For many, the emotions and triggers that lead to relapse can feel overwhelming and insurmountable. Feelings of shame, guilt, frustration, and hopelessness can creep in, making it difficult to stay on track. Understanding what relapse is and recognizing the emotional and psychological triggers can help individuals better navigate these challenging moments. Whether it’s stress, loneliness, or environmental cues, identifying these triggers is the first step towards developing effective coping strategies and maintaining long-term sobriety.

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relapse from recovery - woman drinking unhappily

The Relapse Definition

The “Relapse” definition is commonly explained as using a drug after a period of sobriety, or the continued use of a substance despite it having been previously stopped.  Falling back into the addictive behaviors of drug or alcohol addiction means you will have to begin the addiction treatment process again. Relapse prevention and coping skills skill can improved upon with time, effort, and relapse and training. This article will go into more detail about these coping strategies.

Cycle of Relapse in addiction

Is Relapse Part of the Addiction Cycle?

Relapse is a common part of addiction recovery, but is it an expected part of the addiction cycle? According to statistics, anyone who has recovered from substance use disorders will likely have a relapse. Most relapses in addiction occur in the first year. People in recovery must be aware of the most common triggers for relapse. 

How many people in the United States relapse after drug addiction treatment? A recent survey concluded that 35.8% of people who had received treatment for their drug addiction reported having used again while in early recovery, or within one year of quitting. One-third of those who return to active addiction was able to stay sober for only 90 days. But there are ways that we might be able to reduce the numbers and help addicts.

Relapse Triggers

Reviewing the possible triggers that may lead to relapse will help a person avoid those triggers and prevent a relapse into unhealthy behavior. Regression usually occurs because of one or more of the following reasons:

  1. Withdrawal symptoms
  2. Underlying mental health issues
  3. Keeping in the company of drug users
  4. Poor self-care
  5. Boredom and isolation
  6. Uncomfortable emotions

Stages of Relapse

The relapse process is a cyclical one; if you are not educated about the stages of relapse, you will not be aware of the warning signs and find yourself giving into cravings eventually. There are three stages through which drug addicts usually go through when they relapse. These stages vary from addict to addict, but there are common factors present in all of them.

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Emotional Relapse

Emotional relapse usually occurs when you remember your first relapse as a drug and alcohol user. The SUD to drugs and alcohol is immediately triggered by a memory of using the substance for the first time in a particular environment or situation. It usually happens with recovering addicts who use drugs and alcohol in social situations, such as family, friends, parties, etc. 

Signs of Emotional Relapse Include:

  1. Suppressing emotions
  2. Attending meetings but not engaging
  3. Skipping meetings or group therapy sessions
  4. Focusing on other’s problems
  5. Isolation
  6. Over or undersleeping 
  7. Eating problems

Knowing how to avoid emotional relapse is the best way to stay successful after rehab. Recovery from drug or alcohol abuse is nearly impossible unless you know how to prevent emotional relapse and keep your body safe from addiction. 

Mental Relapse

Mental relapse is a war within the mind. One side wants to eliminate negative emotions by using drugs and alcohol, while the other side doesn’t want to relapse. Resisting addiction relapse at this stage becomes more and more difficult as the sufferer retreats deeper into denial and isolation from their loved ones, mimicking relapse definition.

Signs of Mental Relapse Include:

  1. Reminiscing about past drug and alcohol use and addict lifestyle
  2. Craving drugs and alcohol
  3. Lying or bargaining
  4. Thinking of ways to control drug and alcohol use
  5. Seeking out opportunities to relapse
  6. Planning a relapse

Mental relapse is the most challenging time in recovery for the addict. They go through feelings of hopelessness and depression. It appears like they have lost everything. This is the time when they are at their most vulnerable and will need the support of their family and friends to help them get back on track.

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Physical Relapse

Physical relapse is the act of returning to drug-seeking behaviors and may be accompanied by compulsively using drugs regardless of consequences. The ability to resist the compulsion can be impaired from prolonged drug abuse, repeated relapses, and episodes of being sober. 

The most obvious form of physical relapse is a return to drug use, but in some cases, it may occur in the form of a process not directly related to obtaining drugs. Experts say that physical progression is much more likely to happen if you “forget” to take your medications or otherwise get off your treatment program. This is often called “slipping” or going to “another level.”

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

The road to recovery is not an easy one, but it is possible. And one day at a time, you’ll begin living a life you may never have thought possible. Deconditioning oneself from an addictive behavior requires commitment, motivation, and inner strength. Breaking the cycle of addiction is a tough job, but it can be done. The important thing to remember is that heroin addiction is not just a physical problem; it’s also an emotional one. It’s not unusual for someone who has become addicted to heroin to want to get clean and stay clean, yet find themselves unable to do so because they haven’t first dealt with all of their problems with love and support from family members and friends.

If you are struggling with substance abuse or just considering whether treatment is right for you, it’s important to understand the benefits of choosing help. The risks of not getting treatment can be devastating – financially, morally, socially, and even physically. Anchored Tides Recovery offers support groups that focus on relapse definition and prevention. Please contact us today at 1-866-524-6014 and get on the road to recovery. Our program will help you, or your loved one, find alternatives to replace unhealthy behaviors and learn life skills to maintain long-term sobriety.

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Helping Women Recover

Anchored Tides Recovery’s goal is to provide comprehensive therapeutic and educational services to adult women in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues, and past trauma. We aim to help women learn to foster health, happiness, longevity, and self-reliance. Our goal is to provide an environment where women can achieve and sustain long-term recovery and become positive, thriving members of their communities.

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How Domestic Abuse Can Cause Substance Abuse For Women

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There are many issues in society that people simply aren’t comfortable discussing. Sadly, many of these issues tend to go hand in hand. This is exactly the case when it comes to domestic violence and substance abuse. These are almost always found together. When someone abuses drugs or alcohol, they tend to lose control of themselves. Substance abuse has the potential to destroy relationships with loved ones. When someone surrenders control of themselves to the cycle of addiction, they tend to lash out at loved ones. This can lead to domestic violence.

At the same time, the inverse is also true. When someone is the victim of domestic violence, this can drive someone to the bonds of addiction as well. For this reason, many women who end up in the world of substance abuse are also victims of domestic violence. It is critical for everyone to know how the two are related. That way, they can get help if they need it.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is any pattern of behavior in a relationship that is exercised to gain or maintain power over someone else. Domestic violence is a major problem in society and many people feel that the exact figures are under-reported. Domestic violence can take many forms. While many people feel that domestic violence is limited to physical abuse, this is not the case. This type of behavior can also include verbal abuse, emotional abuse, and even sexual abuse.

Domestic violence, like addiction, has the potential to cause collateral damage as well. In households where there are children involved, they can end up getting caught in the middle. This can lead to severe trauma for children, tearing a family apart. Finally, women who are victims of domestic violence are far more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol down the road.

Addiction and Domestic Violence are Related

What many people don’t realize is that addiction and domestic violence are related. The actions of domestic violence come out of someone’s desire to control someone else. When someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are going to lose control of their own inhibitions. When someone is under the influence, they are far more likely to engage in abusive behavior. Furthermore, research has shown that the vast majority of domestic violence crimes are related to the use of drugs.

Drugs have the ability to change how the neurotransmitters in the brain flow back and forth. The brain develops a need for these drugs and will do anything to force the person to find them. As a result, significant others who get in the way of this addiction will cause someone to lash out. This will lead to domestic violence. There are a few major characteristics that addiction and domestic violence share. Both activities can cause someone to lose control over the actions, engage in dangerous behaviors despite the negative consequences, will get worse over time, and can lead to both denial and shame. In many cases of domestic violence, both the abuser and the victim have a substance abuse disorder. This only complicates things further. If there are children involved, the situation only becomes even direr.

The Effects of Addiction and Domestic Violence

The effects of these two dangerous activities can lead to serious issues. When someone is the victim of domestic violence, they are far more likely to experience other mental health disorders. While substance abuse is a mental health disorder unto itself, there are numerous other complications that might result as well. Some of the problems that might arise following addiction and domestic violence include:

  • The development of other dependencies including designer drugs and alcohol
  • The development of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia
  • Depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder can also start to manifest
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is becoming more common

These are only a few of the many mental health issues that might result when someone is the victim of domestic violence. Addiction is bad enough; however, when it is coupled with domestic violence, the consequences can be particularly severe. That is why it is important for everyone to rely on trained professionals to help address addiction and substance abuse. Nobody should have to face these problems alone.

Rely on the Professionals at Anchored Tides Recovery

At Anchored Tides Recovery, we are drug abuse and addiction treatment program designed by women because we believe that women deserve to have a dedicated cadre of professionals who know and understand them. We know that drug abuse and domestic violence go hand in hand. That is why we tailor our addiction treatment plans to meet your individual needs. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, please contact us today.