Relapse can be a part of recovery, especially in the first 90 days. This is because the abused chemicals have literally re-wired the brain, making abstinence much harder to maintain. Abstinence gets easier to maintain over time, but in the beginning months, it can be an ongoing battle with high susceptibility to triggers and cravings.

A relapse can lead to one of two things: a wakeup call or a ride back down to rock bottom. 70-90% of recovering addicts and Alcoholics will experience at least one mild relapse. Relapses should not be seen as a failure, but help should be sought quickly to get things back on track. If your loved one experiences a relapse, it is important to draw some clear boundaries and immediately stop all enabling behaviors. As frustrating as relapses are, please refrain from being verbally or emotionally abusive to your loved one. Recovery is not easy; they are truly fighting for their life. It is also important to recognize the signs of relapse because action should be taken and further drug and alcohol abuse can be extremely dangerous. While relapse is a part of the story for many, it doesn’t always have to be the case and some do not experience a relapse at all.

When your brain becomes dependent on drugs or alcohol, the illusion of choice is removed. If they did just stop when you asked them to, their body would rebel; they would go into painful withdrawals. Symptoms of withdrawal would cause a person to vomit, have hallucinations of bugs crawling under their skin, and they may become suicidal because the brain chemistry is corrupted and off.

No one wants, or likes, to see their loved one suffer because they are trying to quit cold turkey. This is why we highly encourage going into a detox facility or to detox at the hospital. Many people struggle with withdrawals and each time, they cave to their brain telling them to seek out their drug of choice at any and all cost. A part of them feels defeated and hopeless, and no matter their efforts, the need for the substance calls them back.