Steps to Take After a Relapse

It’s important to remember that sobriety isn’t an endpoint, it’s an ongoing journey — and not necessarily one that takes you in a straight line. Addiction is a chronic illness requiring lifelong management, so relapses are possible. According to one study, as many as 40 to 60% of those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction will relapse. [1]

While a relapse is serious and likely disappointing, a setback isn’t insurmountable. When compared to other chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, asthma, and hypertension, addiction relapse rates are similar. A relapse doesn’t make you a failure, but it does mean you need to pick yourself back up and reconsider your strategies for living a sober life.

If you’ve gone though a relapse, don’t panic. We’ll walk you through what to do to continue your journey of recovery: