By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    headphones can create health problems
    The Harmful Health Effects of Using Headphones
    September 24, 2021
    Headache causes
    4 Causes Of Headache You Probably Didn’t Know About
    December 28, 2021
    follow these steps to recover from your injury
    What Steps Should You Take to Recover More Quickly from an Injury?
    April 12, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Cash Transfers: Good for HIV/AIDS Too
    August 9, 2012
    unnecessary medical tests
    Eagerly Awaiting the Death of Defensive Medicine
    September 5, 2013
    Image
    Mobile Health Around the Globe – mHealth Fighting Malnutrition in India
    December 17, 2012
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Stages and Warning Signs of Addiction Relapse
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health care > Stages and Warning Signs of Addiction Relapse
Health careSpecialtiesWellness

Stages and Warning Signs of Addiction Relapse

James Wilson
James Wilson
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

  Relapse can happen at any time during recovery, but the incidence is much higher in the newly sober. It can also be high in people who have already been through group or faith-based drug rehab treatment, but who will benefit more from non 12-step rehab programs. This is the reason that there is a lot of importance placed on learning about relapse prevention during the course of drug rehab treatment. It’s a vital part of continuing sobriety and can save people who are in recovery from potentially years of additional suffering. Some people who relapse never make it back into recovery, a preventable tragedy.

Contents
Causes of RelapseThe Stages of RelapseWarning Signs of Emotional RelapseWarning Signs of Mental RelapseWhen Physical Relapse HappensFinal Thoughts about the Stages of Relapse

Causes of Relapse

Exactly why someone relapses can be difficult to pinpoint, even for the individual. It seems that those who have trouble adjusting to a life of sobriety are the ones who are most likely to relapse. Recovery has to be about more than simply not using or drinking. It is about changing the individual’s way of thinking and dealing with underlying causes and issues; many times, there are psychological or psychiatric issues that need to be addressed. There are also people who don’t find the traditional 12-step approach to recovery adequate for preventing cravings, so they relapse. For those individuals, a non 12-step rehab program may be the answer. When someone gets stuck in the progress of their recovery, it is easy to become disillusioned and return to a familiar means of coping with. Sometimes though, the relapse can be prevented if the person uses prevention techniques.

The Stages of Relapse

Most people who relapse go through three different stages that begin sometime before they actually drink or use. Relapse is a process, not just something that happens, and when a person in recovery understands the progression, it makes it easier to identify when trouble is imminent and he or she can use relapse prevention techniques to avoid using. The stages of relapse are:

  • Emotional
  • Mental
  • Physical

Warning Signs of Emotional Relapse

With emotional relapse, the individual is not typically actively thinking about using or drinking, but he or she is feeling and exhibiting signs that may be setting up a relapse to happen. Some of the signs of emotional relapse are:

More Read

Medical Fellowship
6 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Medical Fellowship
What Are the Safest Options When You Need an Abortion Pill
Frailty – Common In Elderly, But Is It Preventable?
RSNA 2013: Medical Imaging Used to Capture Diseases in India
Green Garden Project “Grows” at Sinai
  • Isolation
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability or anger
  • Mood swings
  • Failing to ask for or accept help
  • Not attending recovery meetings
  • Not taking care of oneself ? eating, grooming, sleeping
  • Defensiveness

It is easiest to employ relapse prevention techniques successfully at this stage. The later stages have a much stronger pull toward relapse, and they tend to progress faster.

Warning Signs of Mental Relapse

Mental relapse is like a fight going on in the mind of a person in recovery. One part of them wants to use, but another part doesn?t. Mental relapse definitely includes thinking about drinking or using. Some of the signs of mental relapse are:

  • Reminiscing about people and places that one used with
  • Romanticizing or glamorizing past use
  • Fantasizing about using
  • Lying to others
  • Actively thinking about using
  • Planning how to use without anyone knowing

At this stage, it is harder to make the right decisions and the pull of one?s addiction is stronger.

When Physical Relapse Happens

Once the mental relapse stage is in full swing, if the individual doesn’t use prevention strategies, physical relapse isn’t far off. Driving to one’s dealer or liquor store happens at this stage, and it is very difficult to stop the relapse process. However, relapse is not the end of the world – if they are able to return to recovery and get help right away.

Final Thoughts about the Stages of Relapse

It is important to know and recognize the stages of relapse and to be prepared with how to handle it. For the chronic relapser, it may be helpful to attend a non 12-step rehab to learn different coping skills and relapse prevention techniques. Non 12-step treatment centers are becoming increasingly popular for those who find 12-step programs unhelpful. Having the right techniques at hand, and perhaps help from a non 12-step rehab program, can prevent them from reaching physical relapse and keep them on the recovery path.

TAGGED:addiction relapserelapse
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By James Wilson
James is a freelance writer and blogger. He loves to write on wellness, tech and E-Health.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

9 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Add Years to Your Life
9 Healthcare Lifestyle Tweaks That can Add Years to Your Life
lifestyle
July 11, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

Health care

How Attitudes Have Shifted Regarding Cannabis And Healthcare

January 16, 2020
white vegetables and nutrition
Wellness

Should You Avoid White Vegetables?

October 5, 2013
Longevity
GeriatricsSpecialtiesWellness

Can We Live to 120? Do You Want To? [VIDEO]

October 5, 2013
prescription medication
Health care

How to Talk to Your Doctor to Change Prescription Medications

October 29, 2024
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?