Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction or any compulsive behavior is a challenging journey, often marked by momentary setbacks. Two standard terms used in the context of substance abuse recovery are “relapse” and “lapse,” which describe two different types of setbacks that individuals in recovery may experience.
While they may sound similar, lapse and relapse represent two distinct implications and require different approaches for the addiction recovery process.
What is the Difference Between a Relapse and a Lapse?
A lapse refers to a temporary “slip” or a single episode of returning to drugs, alcohol, or behavior after quitting substance abuse. A relapse, on the other hand, occurs when an individual returns to a pattern of excessive substance abuse after a period of abstinence. While both a lapse and relapse indicate a setback in the recovery process, they are both possible to come back from.
Key Characteristics of a Lapse
Notably, a lapse does not mean the recovery process has been completely thrown away. Lapses in drug and alcohol recovery are often viewed as a brief instance or mistake that can be rectified before further damage occurs. The key characteristics of a lapse are:
- Short-term or isolated incident.
- Often triggered by stress, emotional vulnerabilities, or environmental cues.
- Recovery efforts can resume quickly with adequate support.
For instance, someone in recovery from an alcohol use disorder (AUD) might have one drink at a social event but decide to recommit to their sobriety afterward. While lapses are not recommended in drug and alcohol addiction recovery, they can happen and are possible to overcome.
Understanding Relapses in Recovery
Unlike a lapse, which is a partial return to substances, a relapse is a more severe and complete return. A relapse typically indicates a more profound internal struggle with maintaining sobriety in addiction recovery. Following a relapse, many recovering individuals require additional support and re-evaluating their recovery management plan.
The key characteristics of a relapse in recovery include:
- Sustained return to drugs or alcohol use or certain behaviors.
- It may involve a loss of control or abandonment of sobriety goals.
- Often associated with feelings of hopelessness, defeat, and self-doubt.
- Requires intensive intervention or adjustments in recovery strategies.
Someone in recovery from an opioid use disorder (OUD), Xanax addiction, or cocaine addiction who begins using regularly again has experienced a relapse.
Identifying the Stages and Signs of Relapse
There are three stages of relapse and lapse, associated with emotional, mental, and physical factors. The emotional stage of relapse is when someone isn’t thinking about using again but is terrified of relapsing. Their emotions and behaviors, such as isolation, missing meetings, and poor lifestyle habits, put them at risk of a lapse or relapse down the road.
Mental relapse is when someone is struggling with wanting to use drugs or drink alcohol again, while part of them doesn’t. During this stage, individuals may experience cravings, minimizing the consequences of substance use, secret behaviors, or looking for relapse opportunities. Lastly, the physical stage of relapse is when the individual starts using drugs or drinking alcohol again.
Recognizing the signs of a relapse or lapse requires a profound understanding of physical, psychological, and social cues. The emotional, behavioral, and physical signs of relapse include:
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Secrecy or lying
- Isolation
- Reenaging with old habits or friends
- Mood swings
- Loss of interest in hobbies or everyday routines
- Hopelessness
- Poor hygiene
- Weight loss or gain
- Physical health decline
- Withdrawal symptoms
The stages of relapse and lapse, which are a combination of mental, emotional, and behavioral decline, often precipitate physical relapse. Identifying these signs early on can help avoid relapsing and falling back into substance abuse and harmful behaviors.
What to Do if You Relapse or Lapse in Recovery
The road to recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) is not always a straight path. It comes with emotional, social, and physical challenges, including lapses and relapses. Experiencing a setback in addiction recovery does not mean that you are a failure or that your sobriety and progress are ruined.
If you experience a lapse or relapse following rehab, take it as an opportunity to reassess, learn, and strengthen your recovery plan. Here are some steps to take if you relapse or lapse in recovery.
1. Acknowledge What Happened
The first step is to recognize that you have relapsed or lapsed without denial or self-judgment. If you blame yourself harshly, this can worsen the situation and only lead you further into substance abuse. Accept what happened, recognize what went wrong, and move on your recovery journey.
2. Identify What Triggered the Relapse or Lapse
Identifying what led to the relapse or lapse, such as triggers, thoughts, or emotions, is crucial for preventing it from happening again. Ask yourself these questions:
- What emotions, situations, or environments triggered this?
- Did stress, isolation, or environmental factors lead to this?
- Did I neglect recovery routines and management plans, like meetings or therapy?
Write down your triggers, practice self-reflection, and strengthen coping strategies to avoid similar patterns in the future.
3. Reach Out for Recovery Support
A lack of support is one of the significant risk factors for relapse in addiction recovery. Isolation and loneliness in recovery can make setbacks like lapses and relapses much worse.
Continue to spend time with sober communities and supportive friends and family members. Seek guidance from trusted individuals who understand the addiction recovery process, such as sponsors, mentors, support groups, and recovery coaches.
Be open and honest about your recovery challenges and setbacks. Sharing your experiences with lapses and relapses can help reduce feelings of shame and foster accountability in recovery.
4. Reassess Your Recovery Plan
Experiencing a lapse or relapse in addiction recovery can pinpoint areas for improvement in your aftercare program. Take this setback as an opportunity to adjust your recovery management plan.
Ask yourself:
- Do I need to attend more recovery meetings?
- Am I living a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle?
- Should I incorporate stress management techniques?
- Do I need professional intervention?
Being honest with yourself after a relapse is so crucial for long-term recovery. If you don’t adjust or modify your routine and plan, you might end up in the same spot again.
Collaborate with your support network to develop a plan tailored to your recovery needs. Speak to your sponsor to determine if professional outpatient or inpatient treatment is necessary.
5. Focus on Small, Immediate Recovery Goals
After a setback like a relapse or a lapse, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and slip into a mental funk. Shifting your focus to more manageable short-term goals can help rebuild confidence and strength for relapse prevention.
Small, immediate goals can include:
- Reaching out to a sponsor or supportive friend
- Avoiding high-risk situations
- Attending a recovery meeting
Celebrating small victories and milestones can help individuals regain motivation and self-esteem in recovery.
You don’t have to navigate the road to recovery alone. We are here for YOU! Contact Coastal Detox for more information on our recovery management programs in Stuart, FL.
References:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2024. Health Encyclopedia: Understanding Alcohol or Drug Lapse or Relapse.
- Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 2023. Understanding the laps and relapse process: in-depth interviews with individuals who use methamphetamine.
- Verywell Mind, 2024. What to Do After a Relapse.
- Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 2015. Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery.