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4 Things to Know About Relapse

December 18, 2025

You’ve put in the work to fight addiction: treatment, support groups, healthier routines. Then, despite your best efforts, relapse happens. It can feel like someone turned back the clock.

But relapse doesn’t mean failure. If fact, it can be a turning point in recovery.

Here’s what to know.

1. Relapse isn’t a sign of weakness

Addiction is a chronic brain disease that, over time, changes how the brain works — making it harder to resist cravings when stressors or triggers appear.

In other words: When relapse occurs, it isn’t personal. It’s a symptom of the condition.

“With any chronic condition, like diabetes or hypertension, setbacks can happen. That’s also the case for addiction,” says J. Craig Allen, MD, vice president of addiction services for Hartford HealthCare and medical director of the Rushford Center, part of its Behavioral Health Network. “Relapse is common, and often part of the recovery journey.”

> Related: Is Addiction Really a Disease? 

2. Triggers aren’t always obvious

With many health conditions, everything from diet to lack of sleep can trigger a flare-up. The same goes for substance use disorder. Specific things and situations can trigger cravings, increasing your risk of relapse.

Some common triggers include:

• People: Being around friends who use substances
• Places: Going to bars or parties
• Things: Seeing shows or ads that promote use
• Life events: Both happy and sad, from family illness to holidays and celebrations
• Emotions: Like stress, grief or even boredom

“The key is finding out what your personal triggers are,” says Dr. Allen. “Then make a plan for how to avoid them or respond to them.”

> Related: How to Pick the Right Addiction Treatment Program 

3. Warning signs build gradually

Relapse rarely happens out of the blue. More often, it starts with small changes that build over time.

“Look for changes in mood or routine,” says Dr. Allen. “If you can notice these patterns early, you can reach out for support before a full relapse occurs.”

Early warning signs include:

• Anxiety, irritability or mood swings
• Isolation from friends and family
• Romanticizing or minimizing past use (“Just once won’t hurt”)
• Skipping support meetings
• Reconnecting with old environments or friends

4. Relapse is information

The healthiest way to think about relapse is not as failure, but as feedback.

Ask:

• What triggered it?
• When did warning signs start?
• What made things harder — and what could help next time?

“Treat relapse as information about what is and is not working with your recovery plan,” says Dr. Allen. “When you use relapse to strengthen your coping strategies, it can actually be a turning point in your recovery.”

> Related: 6 Things to Know About Drug Withdrawal 

What happens next?

If you’re struggling with relapse and/or substance use:

• Talk to your therapist about next steps
• Make a safety plan for the next time you notice warning signs
• Ask whether medication could support your recovery

If you’re a family member or friend:

• Offer encouragement without blame or shame
• Set clear boundaries around what you will do to support your loved one (listen, accompany them to meetings) and what you won’t do (lie, allow use in your home)
• Prioritize your own self-care routines like exercise, rest and social connection
• Consider peer support groups like Al-Anon

And most of all: Keep doing the work.

“Recovery is not a solo journey, and for many people, it is not a straight line,” says Dr. Allen. “However, even with relapse, you can continue to make progress toward recovery.”