Why Some People Relapse and How to Prevent It

January 2, 2026

1:57 pm

Table of contents

Why relapse happens in addiction

Relapse happens: FACT. Understanding why relapse happens in addiction is crucial to devising effective strategies for prevention.

Our experienced addictions clinicians tell me that people make two, very common, mistakes when they think about relapse:

Firstly, that people think it will never happen to them because they are strong

Secondly, that relapse is failure

Relapse is a very real possibility. Failing to recognise this puts you at a disadvantage.

Most people will relapse in the first year, if not at a time after that. Of course we don’t want you to relapse but to ignore the possibility is foolish.

Why relapse happens in addiction

What Is a Relapse?

Relapse is a normal , and expected, aspect of recovery from addiction. It is not failure: Far from it.

Just as people with chronic health conditions relapse, so do people with addiction. The rates are around the same.

You may have a relative who has asthma. It has been under control for many years but they suddenly have a severe asthma attack. Would you say they are a failure? Of course not! You would appreciate that certain factors led to it: The weather, forgetting to carry their inhaler, etc.

Addiction is no different. There are obstacles, hurdles and variables. The only guarantees in life is death and taxes. Sobriety and abstinence can never be guaranteed. Life gets in the way.

How to Plan Ahead and Prevent Relapses?

Simple! Don’t wait until after it happens before you start to plan how to get yourself back on track.

The more prepared you are, the smaller the chances of relapse taking hold.

If you build awareness around several things, you will be in a much better place to confront relapse, quickly and not be thrown off track by it:

  • What led to your addiction
  • The thoughts and behaviors that come before it
  • How to avoid or remove yourself from triggers
  • When to leave certain situations
  • How to reach out to people in your life for support
  • How assertive you are
  • Who you can trust

Why relapse happens in addiction

Example of How to Plan Ahead to Avoid Relapses

When people first get into recovery, they will stop engaging in situations where drugs and alcohol are used. This teaches them that, sometimes, you have to have difficult conversations with people.

To plan ahead for future situations there are techniques you can use. One example is to have a draft email ready to send. This would explain to someone why you can not attend a certain social function or spend time with them.

Having a neutral friend that can also speak for you will also take the pressure off.

Knowing Your Relapse Triggers

Research shows that one in five relapses occur due to social pressure.

A wedding, bar mitzvah, wake: Alcohol plays a big part and trying to negotiate how you will deal with this can be daunting. However, the earlier you plan, the better your chance of success.

There are two elements to planning:

  • Avoid the event/person or
  • plan how to negotiate around use at the event or when with the person

Our clinicians say that there are two types of triggers:

  • those caused by pain and distress
  • When you are experiencing a great deal of excitement

Thus one is a trigger where you are feeling low, whereas the other is when you are feeling good: Not something most people would associate with relapsing.

Plan to Avoid Relapse

Prior planning and preparation prevents p**s poor performance.

This is an old military term but it has much relevance here. If you put the work in, you may well be able to stay on your trajectory of recovery.

First thing to do is to make a thorough list of triggers, this will show you how aware you are of the possible dangers lurking.

When you prepare this list it is important to plan for triggering events and emotions and what you will do if it happens.

Plan your response to life after a relapse. It is essential to get back on track: As soon as possible.

As you put this plan together, it will highlight to you what you are already doing. You may be surprised!

Why relapse happens in addiction

Key Takeaways

  • Relapse is a common possibility in addiction recovery and should not be viewed as failure.
  • Understanding triggers, both positive and negative, is crucial to avoid relapse.
  • Planning ahead helps manage potential triggers and navigate difficult situations effectively.
  • Establishing boundaries in relationships and avoiding triggering environments are key strategies.
  • If relapse occurs, take a breath, utilize your action plan, and learn from the experience to prevent future relapses.

The Who: Establishing Constructive Boundaries in Relationships

There will be those for whom their company could lead you to using.

They remind you of the excitement you felt when you used.

When you evaluate friendships and connections you may need to make some difficult choices.

There will be those who you need to permanently exclude from your friendship circle. People who use you or who didn’t really care about you but just wanted to share highs.

Some are people you can avoid, to some degree. You will need to set very clear boundaries and be clear what will happen if they can not respect them.

Some people may be unavoidable. Perhaps take a neutral person with you.

Why relapse happens in addiction

The Where: Knowing Which Places to Avoid

There will be certain places where you will be reminded of your drug and alcohol use: Bars, friends houses, certain parts of your local area.

Some places may be bring back very distressing memories.

Plan ahead. Avoid those places that are easy to avoid, plan your responses to places you can’t.

For example, supermarkets have alcohol aisles. Unless you buy all your shopping on-line, you are bound to go to one. Learning to navigate your way around without succumbing is essential.

The Sensations: What Can Invoke Triggers

A song you listened to when you used, the smell of crack in someone’s house, the site of some foil and a syringe. All these can be very triggering.

While you can plan ahead, what happens if you stumble of drug paraphernalia in a park or on the street?

Make this part of your action plan.

Anniversaries

The anniversary of someone’s death, a divorce, birth of a child you no longer have contact with can be very, very difficult for anyone. When you are in recovery, they become more pertinent.

Plan how you will cope on the day. Let others know of the potential risks of relapse on that day. Don’t be alone if appropriate.

The Situations: Recognizing Difficult Moments and Tricky Events

Being bored, being alone, separating from a partner, All events that, if you are in recovery, pose a real danger of relapse.

As above, you need to plan ahead.

Think about what situations you can avoid and how you will fill your time. You can not avoid all situations that are difficult but you can choose how you respond to them.

Why relapse happens in addiction

What Happens If You Do Relapse

First thing to do is: Take a deep breath and count to ten.

Sounds simple but what you need is space. You have time to get out of the situation.

Use your action plan. Call those on your contact list. Remove yourself from the situation by going to a friends house, family, even a coffee shop.

Pick up a motivational book, go and cook something, clean the bath: anything other than use.

Once the crisis has resolved you need to de-brief.

Take a look at what happened and why. Could you have removed yourself from the situation? The person who you just used with? This is not about blaming yourself but about preventing it from happening again.

Why relapse happens in addiction

Speak to an Experienced Addictions Clinician For Free and Confidential Advice

We are addictions clinicians.

Everyday we assess, diagnose and treat people caught up in he madness of addiction.

Our advice is free and we don’t charge for treatment referrals, either.

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Need help finding the right rehab for you or a loved one? Get in touch today and take the first step toward recovery.

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