Addiction Relapse: Why it Happens and How to Prevent it

Addiction Relapse: Why It Happens & How to Prevent It

Written by

Nzinga Harrison, MD

August 7, 2025 · 11 mins read

Addiction or substance use disorder is something that, like many diseases, can happen to anyone. One person is exposed to painkillers after an injury, and addiction forms before they are out of the hospital. Another takes a few ‘study drugs’ in college and finds they feel a powerful need to stay sped-up. Addiction can form around behaviors, too, like gambling or risk-taking which trigger certain neurotransmitters that can cause an uncontrollable desire for more.

Unfortunately, the influence of addiction never completely goes away. Like many chronic illnesses, it exists in a dormant state while you are living a good and careful life. But anyone can experience a relapse, especially in times of stress, difficulty, or triggering exposure.

Does a relapse mean that the person or treatment failed?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), between 40% and 60% of people who have been through substance use disorder treatment will experience a relapse at least once. This is similar to relapse rates of other chronic diseases like hypertension and asthma, which stay with a person for their entire life. A relapse does not mean that a person or treatment plan has failed. It just means that your addiction treatment program needs to be fine-tuned.

If you have recently experienced a relapse, are worried about the risk of relapse, or know someone in this situation, it can help to understand the nature of relapse and its role in the addiction recovery process.

What causes relapse?

Relapse can be caused by both internal and external triggers, as well as life circumstances that can increase the risk of a relapse occurring. External triggers include environmental factors like certain places or people, while internal triggers encompass mental and physical responses to stress, emotions, or memories.

Common relapse triggers include:

Environmental Triggers

Environmental triggers include places, people, and situations that are strongly associated with your memories of addiction. For example, many people unconsciously reach for their substance of choice when they hear fighting, see something upsetting, or spend time with people who used to share their addiction habits.

Mental/Emotional Triggers

Mental triggers relate to your mental health. Triggers might include experiencing trauma , stress at work, conflict with a loved one, or re-activation of an untreated mental health issue.

Physical Triggers

Physical triggers may be engaging in activities that used to be associated with your addiction or your response to physical pain or other sensations that used to cause you to reach for your substance.

Other Contributing Risk Factors

Coping Mechanisms: You may have once coped with difficult situations through substance use. This includes mental health issues or conditions like social anxiety.

Lack of Support System: Feeling alone, especially around triggering circumstances, can lead to relapse when you don’t have a support system to call upon.

Unresolved Emotional Issues: Facing emotional issues, such as childhood trauma, can make relapse more likely.

What are the signs of relapse?

Relapse doesn’t happen suddenly. It’s actually a gradual process that occurs in three distinct stages. Understanding these three stages can help you or your loved ones recognize the warning signs of relapse early.

Stage 1: Emotional Relapse

During emotional relapse, you’re not consciously thinking about using, but your emotions and behaviors are setting you up for a possible relapse. Warning signs include:

Not taking care of your physical health
Bottling up emotions
Isolating from friends and support groups
Skipping recovery meetings
Poor eating and sleeping habits

Stage 2: Mental Relapse

In this stage, there’s an internal war between wanting to use and wanting to maintain sobriety. Signs include:

Planning how you would obtain and use substances
Thinking about people and places associated with past use
Glamourizing past use while minimizing consequences
Bargaining (thinking you can use just once)
Actively looking for opportunities to relapse

Stage 3: Physical Relapse

This is the actual act of returning to substance use. Recognizing and addressing early warning signs is crucial for prevention.

The Dangers of Relapsing

One of the biggest risks of a relapse is overdose. Returning to drugs or alcohol after a period of abstinence is dangerous due to potential loss of tolerance and powerful cravings, which can result in overdose or death.

Ways to Prevent Relapse

Developing a comprehensive relapse prevention plan can help reduce your risk. Here are several methods:

Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Building good coping skills to deal with stress can help you resist feelings that may reactivate your substance use disorder.

Building a Strong Support Network

A support network of friends, family, and your recovery community is essential. Spend time with people who value your sobriety and offer emotional support.

Lifestyle changes

Change your life from the lifestyle you associate with addiction. Avoid high-risk situations and develop exit strategies for potentially triggering encounters.

Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health Issues

Seek out mental health treatment for related issues that can trigger relapse conditions. Your healthcare provider can develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses both your addiction and mental health needs.

What should I do if I relapse?

If you experience a relapse, don’t panic or fall into self-hate. Here are steps to take:

Get Help: Contact a loved one, sobriety sponsor, or support group.
Seek Treatment or Adjust Treatment: Restart or adjust your treatment program as needed.
Give Yourself Grace: Learn from setbacks and work to rebuild your confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Relapse

How long does the risk of relapse last? The risk of relapse is a lifelong consideration in recovery, though it becomes more manageable over time.

What’s the difference between a slip and a relapse? A slip is a brief return to substance use, while a relapse usually involves a longer period of use and requires more intensive intervention.

Should I tell others if I’ve relapsed? Honesty about relapse is crucial for recovery; keeping it hidden can lead to more issues.

What should a good relapse prevention plan include? It should combine several therapeutic approaches and outline specific actions to take when facing triggers.

How can family therapy help in preventing relapse? Family therapy strengthens relationships and creates a supportive environment for recovery.

Eleanor Health offers flexible treatment options to fit your needs. Contact us today to explore the treatment and support available.