Relapse is a term used to describe the worsening of a medical condition that had previously improved. In the context of addiction treatment, relapse is the resumption of substance use after an attempt to stop or a period of abstinence. For instance, if an individual returns to drug use after months in rehab, they would be considered to have relapsed. Relapse is a serious and potentially deadly matter with devastating consequences.
It is defined as the return to alcohol or other drugs, or gambling, that a person has previously managed to control or completely stop using. In a relapse, alcohol or other drug use or gambling can be traced back to or near previous levels of use. Addiction is a chronic illness, making relapse a possibility no matter how long a person has abstained from substance abuse. Once a relapse occurs, it can be difficult for an individual to get back on the path of recovery.
They are likely to feel a strong desire to continue using it once they do it once. As such, getting a person back to treatment as soon as possible after a relapse is essential for their long-term health and recovery. A relapse into addiction is when the person with the past addiction begins to participate again in their addictive behavior after a period of not doing so, known as abstinence. To avoid relapse, it is important for individuals in recovery to have access to support systems and resources that can help them stay on track with their recovery goals.
This includes attending support groups, therapy sessions, and engaging in activities that promote healthy living and sobriety.
