3 Stages of Relapse

“Relapse is a process, not an event…”

There are 3 stages of relapse that all individuals experience. It is important to know and recognize these different stages to have insight into possible risk for lapse.

Emotional Relapse

During the emotional stage of a relapse, a person is not actively thinking about using drugs or alcohol. They remember the last time they used (or relapsed) and don’t want to repeat it. But their emotions and behaviors may be setting them up for a relapse down the road.  They generally aren’t even aware that it’s happening.

Emotional relapse occurs when an individual’s emotions are leading their brain down a familiar path of triggers that set them up using. These are things that happen in everyone’s life that can cause stress, anxiety, anger, isolation, mood swings, and changes in eating and sleeping habits.

The most important thing someone can do when in emotional relapse is to acknowledge their feelings, understand that these emotions are priming them to reach for the easy coping mechanism of drugs, and catch the relapse by contacting one of their supports.  During this time, individuals in recovery should take control of their bodies and not let their emotions get the best of them, particularly in early recover. If left unchecked, emotional triggers will begin to work their way into the mind and progress to the next stage of relapse.

Mental Relapse

When the mental stage of a relapse occurs, an individual’s mind begins to pick up the feelings they have been experiencing and run them through rationalization. They may start to dream about using again, remembering how good it felt to escape their stress and pain with drugs & alcohol.  All their practice and hard work toward recovery will be put to the test when their mind starts to work against them.  Once they decide at the emotional level that drugs will make them feel better, their mind begins rationalizing the reasons and thought processes that make it okay.

Once you reach the mental stage, it is very difficult to turn back and avoid physical relapse.  The mind gives you permission to accept and make the choice of using.  This is when it’s vitally important to talk with your supports.

Physical Relapse

The final stage of a drug relapse is physical relapse. If an individual reaches this point, their triggers have brought them through emotional urges, mental rationalizations and lead to the use of drug & alcohol. This is why it’s important to recognize in the earlier stages that they may be at risk for relapse when emotions and thoughts begin to guide them down a path that they have worked so hard to avoid.

https://www.banyantreatmentcenter.com/the-3-stages-of-relapse/

https://www.palmerlakerecovery.com/blog/three-stages-of-relapse/