How to Tell if your Loved One has Relapsed, and How to Talk about it
Even if you missed the signs before relapse happened, try not to fall into the trap of all-or-nothing thinking. You can still take steps now to keep yourself safe and protect your mental health. If this person knew previously about your self-harm, then let them know that you’ve relapsed. Talk to them about what triggered it, and i relapsed how you’re feeling now. One of the most important steps you can take when this happens is to reach out to someone you trust. It’s common to feel embarrassed or ashamed about relapsing, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Psychological, environmental, and emotional factors
Research indicates that between 40% to 60% of people may experience a relapse within the first year after treatment. Moreover, 70% to 90% may face at least one mild to moderate relapse during their recovery journey. It is important to understand that having a relapse after addiction treatment does not mean that you have failed on your journey to living a healthy life and long-term recovery. This could happen to even long-term sober alcoholics and you can never predict the future relapse. Developing healthy coping mechanisms is a crucial aspect of maintaining recovery after a relapse.
He specializes in the treatment of anxiety, OCD, pornography addiction, identity issues, and more. You may not go through all of these stages recognizably, but they are a common cadence in a traditional relapse. Write down all the reasons sobriety is the right path for you.

Choose the Right Time and Place
- At Uncover Counseling, we offer therapy and support to help you manage the emotional and psychological struggles that contribute to self-harm behaviors.
- It’s important to remember that relapse often brings renewed understanding to an individual’s relationship with their recovery process.
- Listen, if you thought getting sober was tough the first time, just wait until you have to try again after an extended period of sobriety.
- If you or your loved one has relapsed, seeking addiction treatment can be incredibly helpful.
- If you’re out of your treatment program when you relapsed, you may wonder whether it’s time to return.
The help of a strong support system such as friends, family, community members and a sponsor is very beneficial after a relapse. To fully address your relapse and get back on your path to recovery, however, you need professional addiction treatment. Nothing can replace the knowledge, care and individual recovery planning that a professional can provide.

Have A Support Network
If you’ve relapsed with self-harm, it’s easy to feel disappointed with yourself. Many people with addictions relapse before being able to get “clean” for good. The important thing now is to take action to prevent it from turning back into a long-lasting habit. Tackling the cause of relapse is what helps maintain sobriety and recover from the situation.
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By embracing relapse as part of the recovery experience, individuals are better equipped to navigate the complexities of maintaining sobriety over time. A variety of factors can contribute to relapse, including emotional distress, high-stress situations, interpersonal problems, and exposure to environments linked to past substance use. Additionally, a lack of social support and untreated mental health issues can exacerbate the risks of returning to substance use.
Often, addiction and mental health issues are intertwined. A lot of people who suffer from drug or alcohol abuse have some kind of emotional issues that lead them to addiction. Relapse prevention is a vital aspect of addiction treatment, and it’s crucial to have a plan in place in case it happens. If you or your loved one has relapsed, seeking addiction treatment can be incredibly helpful. Addiction treatment professionals can help you or your loved one identify the triggers that led to the relapse and develop coping strategies to prevent it from happening again. It’s crucial to understand that relapse is not a sign of failure, nor does it mean that the treatment has failed.
What Relapse Means and Ways to Stay on Track
These emotions are normal and, although they can feel unpleasant, can be used to help guide you back to your recovery process. A person whose motivators are primarily external may be at a greater risk of relapse because they may feel they are in recovery to fulfill an obligation to someone else. External motivators include legal involvement or loved ones making ultimatums.
- And not acknowledging this fact leads to a dangerous denial, because knowing it could come back anytime makes a person aware and work hard to remain sober.
- For example, you might meditate, do breathing exercises, or try other mindfulness techniques.
- It’s also important to make sure we are getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and paying attention to our emotions.
- The people you love usually appreciate your openness and are happy to see your recovery working even in the midst of a relapse.
- Even in times of stability, you might be distracted by painful memories.
Using again may be deadly as the risk of overdose is higher. If someone you care about is a ‘chronic relapser’, we understand that this can be incredibly painful to live with. Having a relapse prevention plan in place that you can turn to and put into action is a core element of recovery and relapse prevention. It should give you a clear idea of what to do and how to stay on track. Everyone can expect to face cravings from time-to-time. It is not uncommon for people in recovery to experience a form of relapse at some point – in fact the majority of people will, especially in the first few months after recovery.
Reach out to Your Support Network
Helping someone on their journey towards a bright he will help you keep motivated and remind them of the reason why you started this journey in the first place. And that you may need to modify or change your treatment plan. And if you’re not ready to take that step, you can speak to one of our trained advisors online. They can offer you free and confidential advice about what to do next. It’s a big achievement to get this far without professional help.
Examples of Relapses
For example, if you had an addiction to opioids, a relapse is a return to using those same drugs. A relapse is a return to using harmful coping skills while in Twelve-step program addiction recovery. Knowing what a relapse is will help you understand when you or a loved one are in the middle of one.
Research shows that those with strong social networks can increase their likelihood of sustained recovery by up to 50%. Turning to your friends, family, or local support groups for help can help you provide the non-judgmental emotional support that you need to remain committed. Again, relapsing doesn’t mean your recovery journey stops there, or that you’ve somehow sabotaged all your progress.

