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Perhaps you’ve had a history of abusing drugs or alcohol, yet you’ve been trying to quit. You may have even done well at keeping substance abuse at bay, and then it happened: you went on a drinking or drug binge. You may feel like you’re at a crossroads or worry that you’re going back to the drawing board. But depending on whether you had a lapse vs relapse, what should you do next? 

Lapse vs Relapse: Comparing the Two

If you’re trying to break free from substance abuse or addiction, know that it’s never a straightforward process. Sometimes setbacks happen and hurdles need to be overcome. After all, achieving long-term sobriety isn’t a quick fix (and it can be a difficult road at times). So when you mess up and drink or take drugs again along your recovery journey, you’re probably saying to yourself, “What just happened?” In the context of a lapse vs relapse, let’s take a look at the key differences:

What is a Lapse?

Looking at lapse vs relapse, a lapse in the recovery process happens when you use a substance again. However, upon using drugs or alcohol, for example, you soon realize what you’ve done and stop. You don’t continue to go back to your addictive patterns. A lapse happens when you succumb to your addiction triggers in the moment. But you work to get right back on track with your recovery goals afterwards. 

When a lapse happens, it doesn’t mean you need to quit your recovery goals and start over. It’s a slip up and an unfortunate setback. At the same time, a lapse should be your wakeup call that you need to refocus on your sobriety before things get worse. 

The Relapse Definition

But what if you keep on experiencing a lapse after a lapse? Soon, you’re spiraling towards a full-blown relapse. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, a relapse happens when you stop maintaining your goal of reducing or avoiding your substance, returning to your previous levels of use as a result. With a relapse, your recovery goals no longer matter, and you’ve reverted back to your lifestyle of addiction. 

A relapse doesn’t necessarily happen overnight. Rather, it occurs in stages. The period of time it takes to actually revert back to your addiction may even take weeks or months, shares VerywellMind.com. The stages of relapse include:

  • Emotional relapse: In this stage, your behaviors and emotions are putting you on track towards potential future substance use. You may be isolating yourself, struggling with anxiety, or lacking in self-care practices.
  • Mental relapse: As you progress, you start thinking about using a substance, struggling with euphoric recall, and wishing to reconnect with the people or places associated with your addiction.
  • Physical relapse: At this point, you are physically using your substance again on a regular basis.

Lapse vs Relapse: Noticing the Signs

As you’re reading this, you may be wondering whether you’ve had a relapse vs lapse. Are the things you’re doing right now cause for concern or not? Here are some common relapse warning signs to look out for as you reflect upon your recovery efforts:

  • Social isolation
  • No longer pursuing self-care
  • Increased depression or anxiety
  • Skipping recovery practices
  • Romanticizing past substance abuse (euphoric recall)
  • Questioning the recovering process
  • Experiencing post-acute withdrawal syndrome
  • Changes in behaviors
  • Increased cravings
  • Lying to others

Making a Relapse Prevention Plan

As you’re trying to achieve long-term recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, relapse is often part of the journey. It can happen to anyone. As you’re trying to change your life and well-learned habits, addiction triggers can easily pull you back—leading you to face future relapse vs lapse struggles. That’s why it’s important to establish a relapse prevention plan to keep you on track with your recovery goals.

A relapse prevention plan is there to help you stay the course in recovery, especially when you face challenges (and it’s only a matter of time until you do). It takes time and effort to create one, which is why it’s best to do so alongside an accountability partner, recovery sponsor, or addictions therapist. Often, a relapse prevention plan will consist of the following:

  • An inventory of your addiction triggers
  • The why behind your desire to stay sober
  • Your short and long-term recovery goals
  • Alternative, healthy coping strategies
  • Boundaries you want to follow
  • A list of the people who make up your support system

Continuing Lapse vs Relapse: What If You Keep Struggling?

If you’ve been trying to quit your addiction on your own and continue to have lapses or have fallen into a relapse, what should you do next? While you may be frustrated, now isn’t the time to give up. It’s best to partner with a professional addiction treatment center to help you achieve sobriety. 

At Sana at Stowe in Stowe, VT, we provide luxury addiction treatment centers focused on making the recovery journey personal, comprehensive, and holistic. That means we work to address the root causes of your addiction, not just your symptoms. As a result, you can finally overcome the substance abuse that’s held you back and reclaim your life. To learn more about our drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs, contact us today