What Percentage of Alcoholics Relapse?

What many people don’t realize is that there are a few different types of relapse. Understanding the differences between each one can help you support someone who is going through these struggles. If you know which type of relapse they are experiencing, you can offer the right kind of support.

The first type is called a slip. It’s not a full-blown relapse but just a single instance where the person consumed alcohol after a period of abstinence. This is just a one-time situation, but it may sometimes lead to bigger problems if the person decides to continue drinking.

A lapse is when a person drinks several times after they have reached abstinence. Even though the person consumed more than one alcoholic drink, they have not yet returned to their previous patterns of alcohol abuse.

Finally, relapse is when a person starts drinking again and returns to their old alcohol abuse habits. By identifying the type of relapse, you can prepare to help your loved one or yourself get back into sobriety.

Aside from these traditional types, you can also categorize relapses by their cause or based on the person’s behavior. For example, an “overwhelmed relapse” refers to someone who encounters several problems and stressors that put pressure on them and eventually lead to substance abuse. Due to their difficult situation, they think they have no other choice but to self-medicate with alcohol. Major life changes tend to cause this type of relapse.

Some people relapse because of their “all or nothing” mentality. They believe that sobriety needs to be perfect. If they slip up or lapse, they can no longer be considered sober and so they just return to drinking. They turn the smallest mistake into a reason for relapse. It is important to set realistic goals when maintaining your sobriety. After all, things will not always go as planned.

Finally, there’s a type of relapse called “avoidance relapse” which happens when people focus on distractions instead of actually putting in the work to further their recovery progress. They avoid support group meetings or find ways to isolate themselves. This is why they are not properly equipped during stressful situations where they may be tempted to drink.

Do not be overconfident just because you have completed treatment. The risk of relapse is always there and you need to make healthy decisions on a regular basis to stay sober.

Just as there are different types of relapse, there are also different stages involved. In fact, relapse itself doesn’t just happen all at once or overnight. Instead, it happens in three stages: emotional relapse, mental relapse, and physical relapse.

During the emotional relapse stage, the person is not thinking about drinking but they are beginning to experience emotions and certain thought patterns that may be building towards a relapse. For example, they may start feeling hopeless or anxious about the future. They may feel anger, irritability, guilt, and other overwhelming feelings. During this stage, they may start missing their support group meetings and abandoning their coping mechanisms.

You may recognize that a person is in the emotional relapse stage when they begin to let go of the strategies they have developed to prevent relapse. They may start neglecting themselves again, abandoning established routines, having an irregular sleep schedule, binging on unhealthy foods, and missing therapy sessions.

The mental relapse stage is characterized by an internal struggle wherein the person wants to stay sober but is feeling the urge to drink. Some people start drinking again during this stage. For those who are in this stage, they are encouraged to seek help or call their sponsors to help them avoid drinking.

A person going through mental relapse will actively consider the idea of drinking again. They may start rationalizing their alcohol use or reminiscing about the times when they enjoyed drinking. They may even believe that relapsing is no big deal since they have been able to stop drinking through rehab. It is important that they have proper guidance during this time so they can stay sober despite these thoughts. While it’s normal to have these thoughts every now and then, what’s important is that they not dwell on them. Once the urge has passed, the person may be able to think rationally again.

Finally, the physical relapse stage is when the person begins to drink alcohol again, resuming their problematic drinking habits. The person will take active steps to acquire alcohol and drink it regardless of the risk of relapse.

These stages often come due to certain triggers that lead to thoughts of substance abuse, which lead to cravings and compulsion. While it can be difficult to stop a relapse once it is in motion, it can be interrupted.

Nobody intends to relapse, but it still happens anyway.

There are many potential causes of relapse. Everyone is different. Some people may relapse due to exposure to stressful situations and certain triggers, while others may crave for the euphoric high they used to experience with alcohol. Others use it as an unhealthy coping mechanism for a co-occurring mental health disorder like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

A relapse can happen quickly and accidentally. It may snowball from a small situation or even the tiniest trigger. In fact, even a small slip up can sometimes lead to a full-blown relapse if you are not careful. To improve your chances of avoiding a relapse, you need to know some of the most common reasons for it.

Stress is one of the most common causes of relapse. High levels of stress can lead to anxiety and low mood, which are both linked to alcohol cravings. People who are working in the frontlines as emergency responders are often exposed to high risk situations that may put their lives in danger. This means they have a high risk of relapse if they are struggling with their sobriety.

Major life changes like losing a job, losing a loved one, going through a divorce, moving into a new home, etc. are all examples of highly-stressful situations that can lead to a relapse.

Aside from stress, another common cause of relapse is withdrawal. However, this is more common in those who have not yet gone through addiction treatment.

A lot of people who have drinking problems try to quit cold turkey. But without going through proper medical detox, they can encounter severe withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol use disorder is associated with life-threatening withdrawal, so it is not a good idea to quit without proper medical assistance if you are alcohol dependent.

Withdrawal is the body’s reaction to the sudden change in alcohol intake. If you are alcohol dependent and you reduce your intake or stop drinking, you can encounter serious consequences in the form of withdrawal. The symptoms and their severity will vary depending on various factors like quantity of use, frequency of use, family history of alcohol addiction, and biological factors like age, gender, body weight, etc.

Common withdrawal symptoms include nausea, restlessness, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, muscle aches, and even seizures. Alcohol detox is a treatment program that gradually reduces the person’s alcohol intake while their withdrawal symptoms are managed by medical professionals to keep them safe.

Another potential cause of relapse is the person’s mental health. Co-occurring mental health disorders can make a person more susceptible to relapse. This is why these conditions are treated alongside AUD because substance abuse and mental health disorders tend to have a connection. You can’t treat one without addressing the other. This is often one of the underlying issues that need to be addressed during treatment.

Certain triggers can also make a person relapse if they don’t use the coping skills they learned during treatment. People, places, things, and situations may serve as triggers that can push a person towards relapse. During treatment, the patient will learn to recognize these triggers. This allows them to prepare a proper emotional response that will not actually involve the use of alcohol.

If you are at risk of relapse and trying to get sober, you will have to make significant changes in your life, including the people you hang out with, the places you go, and the things you do.

Some people may enable your drinking or encourage you to drink alcohol. Meanwhile, some people may be toxic to have around. You either have to set up healthy boundaries or cut them off completely. Keeping good company is essential because you need people who will give you emotional support when times are tough and you feel like relapsing. Aside from friends and family, you may also get this from support groups. These are people who know exactly what you are going through and can offer support from a place of understanding.

Avoiding casinos, bars, wineries, liquor stores, parties, and other places where alcohol might be present is a good idea especially during the first few years of sobriety. Avoid any place that you associate with alcohol or drug use.

Sometimes people who have gone through rehab go through what is called a “pink cloud”. After struggling with addiction for so long, they can’t help but feel good and excited about their future. And while this is a good thing, it can also cloud their judgment a little bit and lead to unrealistic expectations. They may believe that they will never take drugs and alcohol ever again regardless of the situation.

Being confident in yourself is a good thing as long as it does not lead to overconfidence and pride. Everyone is at risk of relapse, especially since addiction is a chronic condition. If you are not careful, you may fall into the same old patterns. One bad thought can lead to a bad decision.

Make sure that even though you are confident in yourself and your ability to stay away from alcohol, you don’t put yourself in situations where you can be tempted or encouraged to break your sobriety. Do not engage in risky behavior just because you believe you can always just get sober again. Recovery is all about making healthy decisions that will benefit you in the long term.

Follow treatment recommendations and continue putting in the work to maintain your sobriety.

The opposite of going through stressful situations, boredom is the result of a lack of mental stimulation. If there is nothing going on, you may start drinking again simply because they are bored. Being isolated from friends and family can also lead to relapse.

It may not seem like a big deal, but some people do relapse out of boredom. This is why rehab programs teach patients to engage in various activities that can keep them entertained and engaged.

Being sober is not just about spending your life trying to avoid relapse. It’s about replacing unhealthy behaviors and patterns without activities that bring your life meaning. It’s up to you to figure it out, but you need to start looking for new hobbies, new passions, new creative outlets, and new paths that will make life worth living again.

The feeling of hopelessness is common in those who relapse. But finding a new sense of purpose is a good way to fight that.

Regardless of the reason for relapse, the best thing to do is to move forward and make more progress towards sobriety. Let go of the guilt and shame you feel regarding your relapse. It will only distract you from making lasting changes to your life.

Take good care of yourself: make healthy dietary choices, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy sleep schedule, and find new activities to engage with. Most importantly, keep putting in the work to maintain sobriety.

If you still need additional support, look for aftercare or alcohol treatment options near you.

People who abstain from alcohol for years after going through an addiction treatment program are more likely to maintain their sobriety for the long term. While the risk of relapse is always there, the likelihood is much smaller compared to someone who drinks again after a year or two.

The key is to pick up various coping mechanisms that work for you, practice it on a daily basis, and try to avoid triggers as much as possible.

If you feel like you are on the verge of relapsing, you can try various methods to prevent it. If you are alone, call someone. This can be a friend, a family member, or your sponsor. You need an active and supportive listener who will talk you through your cravings. You need that external support to reinforce what you already know: that drinking will only cause more problems down the road.

If you have intense cravings, make yourself wait for 30 minutes before drinking. Forcing yourself to wait a certain period takes out the urgent desire to drink. You are giving your mind enough time to settle down, realign your thoughts, and put your situation into perspective. This can even reduce your cravings.

During those 30 minutes, think about all the consequences of drinking. You need to take some time to remember all the reasons why you had to seek sobriety in the first place.

Sobriety is a lifelong journey, but you must take it one day at a time. Set a manageable goal to avoid drinking in the short term instead of focusing on the years to come.

While prevention is still the better option, sometimes relapse does happen. Instead of feeling hopeless, guilty, or ashamed, you need to focus on your next steps.

Relapse does not mean you have failed the recovery process. It can be a part of your healing process because it shows you that there is more work to be done. It can strengthen your commitment to long-term sobriety. All you have to do is handle it properly.

Stop drinking immediately. Just because you slipped up or lapsed doesn’t mean you have to spiral out of control. Continuing will only make it harder to quit drinking. Stop as soon as you can.

First, recognize your feelings of guilt or shame. It is normal to feel embarrassed over a relapse, but do not hesitate to seek help. Isolation will only make the problem worse. Remember the importance of seeking emotional support. Your friends and family should be informed about the possibility of relapse so they can be there for you if it happens.

Next, identify what went wrong and what triggered the relapse. It may be something that happened or a person you encountered, etc. This will help you from making the same mistake again.

If necessary, seek an outpatient treatment program to help you get back on your feet. Look for twelve-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous to get support from an external source. Recommit yourself to your mission of recovery.

Finally, make a plan that will prevent you from relapsing again. A relapse prevention plan is important, and your health care providers will likely help you make one. This plan will list your triggers and include coping tactics. It will also list people who you can rely on for support when you abuse alcohol.

Remember that long-term recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Recovery is possible. Look for an alcohol addiction treatment facility near you today to learn more.

Treatment is an addicted individualʼs best option if they want to recover. Beating an addiction not only requires eliminating the physical dependence, but also addressing the behavioral factors that prevent them from wanting to get better. Simply quitting may not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Some people quit for a while, and then take drugs or alcohol again, only to overdose because they did not detox properly. Recovery involves changing the way the patient feels, thinks, and behaves.