Relapse is not an individual occurrence or event. Relapse is a process, a fluid progression of ideas and events that enable the concept of being unable to deal with life in sobriety. The relapse process may lead to a return to drug and alcohol use, emotional or physical collapse, death or suicide. The process is identified by tangible, predictable and identifiable relapse warning signs that begin quite some time before a return to use or collapse occurs. Relapse prevention planning teaches people to identify and create plans to manage these symptoms and signs. The goal is to interrupt the progression early in the process and return to the path of recovery.
Relapse, most certainly does not have to be a part of recovery, there are those who do not return to drinking or drugging. Studies of life-long patterns of recovery and relapse indicate that not all patients relapse. Approximately one third achieve permanent abstinence from their first serious attempt at recovery. Another third have a period of brief relapse episodes but eventually achieve long-term abstinence. An additional one third have chronic relapses that result in eventual death from chemical addiction.
These statistics are consistent with the life-long recovery rates of any chronic lifestyle-related illness. About half of all relapse-prone people eventually achieve permanent abstinence. Many others lead healthier, more stable lives despite periodic relapse episodes. Click here for: tips for recovery.
