Millions of people experience substance use disorder (SUD), a chronic, complex disease that, when left untreated, can lead to serious health issues, even death.
Because addiction is a chronic disease, relapses are possible. A relapse is when a person in recovery returns to using drugs or alcohol again. Further treatment can help people who have relapsed get back on the path of recovery. Sometimes going to rehab more than once is required to obtain all the tools required for lasting recovery.
Relapses are so common, in fact, that it takes two attempts on average to recover from an SUD, according to research published in the journal Alcoholism, Clinical, and Experimental Research and similar studies.
Pathways To Recovery From Addiction
Addiction is a chronic disease of the mind, which also affects the physical and spirit bodies. When a person suffers from a drug or alcohol addiction, the need to acquire and use their “drug of choice” (DOC) can be all-consuming. The disease can obscure priorities and seemingly take a person’s life hostage. Though the progression from substance use to addiction can appear, to friends and family, like it happened overnight, that’s rarely the case.
Just as the evolution of the disease is a process, so is recovery. And though people with SUDs share commonalities, no two pathways to recovery are the same.
Different routes to recovery may be considered when deciding to get sober. A person may pursue sobriety with support from 12-step programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and without rehabilitation; with support from a rehabilitation program, such as those offered at inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment centers; or with support from both a rehabilitation program and a 12-step program, which many rehab centers provide.
Many people find that receiving care from addiction treatment specialists is the best way to achieve recovery. In fact, a study in Addiction, published by the Society for the Study of Addiction, found that people are more likely to relapse if they do not receive treatment.
The good news is, most people with SUDs do recover and go on to live full lives, NPR reports.
If A Relapse Happens, Can I Go To Rehab Again?
Yes, you can. In fact, treatment specialists recommend returning to rehab after a relapse. This gives you and your care team the chance to look closely at contributing factors that led to your relapse and address underlying issues, with the intent to prevent a future relapse. Residential treatment, particularly, can provide separation from the outside world, adding another layer of protection against substance use. Some rehab centers also provide detox services for returning clients experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Transitional or halfway housing, which is a step-down support option in long-term treatment, can also provide a buffer to the outside world.
People who do not return to rehab after a relapse can certainly recover with the support of 12-step programs and other treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. However, without formal treatment, there is typically more responsibility on the shoulders of the individual, and their recovery is determined by their willingness to take action.
Warning Signs Of A Relapse
If a relapse is on the horizon, there are typically telltale signs. In 12-step programs, it’s commonly said that the relapse—the physical manifestation of the disease—comes weeks, months, or even years after changes in attitude occur, which are regressions into old ways of thinking and acting.
Common signs of an impending relapse may include:
- increased isolation; it is sometimes said that the opposite of addiction is connection, so the more time spent in solitude, the more worrisome it can be
- fantasizing about using drugs or alcohol
- mood swings, indicated by quickly changing energy levels, racing thoughts, irritability, etc.
- neglecting self-care
- poor sleep patterns
- reconnecting with people who use substances and/or going to places associated with substance use
- romanticizing substance use, or reflecting on past use in a way that focuses on positive memories and overlooks negative memories
Relapse Triggers
A trigger, also recognized as a stressor, is a behavior or situation that causes an unpleasant physical and/or emotional reaction, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Triggers may cause a person to recall past trauma or remind them of other adverse past experiences. As a result, a person may experience physical symptoms, such as hyperventilating or shaking, and/or emotional symptoms, such as anxiety or feelings of hurt.
A person in recovery, particularly in early recovery, may likely experience the intense need to self-soothe in the aftermath of triggers. For people with SUDs, drug and alcohol use serve as maladaptive coping mechanisms when dealing with triggers.
Examples of common triggers that may segue into a relapse include:
- boredom
- easy access to substances
- isolation
- life transitions, e.g., entering a new relationship, getting married, having a child, moving, getting a new job, coping with the death of a loved one, etc.
- mental and/or physical illness
- negative emotions
- overconfidence in recovery
- people, places, or things that are reminders of past substance use
- stress
- times of celebration
When people in recovery from SUDs experience one or more of these triggers, it’s strongly recommended that they receive additional support. This may be found through a rehab center alumni program, an AA or NA meeting, a therapy session, or other forms of support.
Relapses In Addiction Recovery Are Normal
As mentioned, relapse is a normal part of recovery. It doesn’t necessarily have to be part of your recovery, but if it is, it’s possible to work through it with support, heal from it, learn from the experience, and use it to empower you to grow into a healthier version of yourself.
In addition to the study in Alcoholism, Clinical, and Experimental Research, a study conducted by the Recovery Research Institute and published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence also found that people with SUDs take an average of two attempts at sobriety before achieving long-term recovery. The study surveyed 2,002 U.S. adults who have an SUD but are no longer in active addiction to determine the average number of recovery attempts needed before becoming sober. Participants with co-occurring disorders, such as an anxiety disorder, depression, and other psychological issues, had a higher number of average attempts. The most attempts at sobriety were made by people in their first five years of recovery, indicating that the beginning years carry the highest risk of relapse.
How Many Times Can I Go To Rehab?
There is technically no limit on the amount of times a person can go to rehab. If you can afford to pay for rehab out of pocket, then there is no limit. However, if you are using health insurance to pay for rehab, there may be a limit regarding rehab coverage on your particular plan or policy.
Many health insurance policies will cover some form of treatment after a relapse, but again, it varies from plan to plan. If you are going to a state-funded rehab center for a discounted rate or for free, you will likely be permitted to return, but you will not have a wide range of choices when it comes to the rehab center you can go to.
What To Expect From Going To Rehab Multiple Times
The first time you go to rehab, especially to an inpatient facility, you’re walking into a new experience. If you are open, you will learn a lot about the disease of addiction, as well as how to deal with cravings and manage triggers, and become aware of and/or receive treatment for other diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health conditions, if such is applicable.
You will be able to relate to other people who are receiving treatment and forge friendships. You will also become accustomed to living in a structured environment where there are rules in place to provide stability as you heal.
When you return to rehab numerous times, the experience won’t be so novel. You’ll know what to expect. However, you will also enter with a different perspective; perhaps you are older, or have experienced life changes, or have been in the recovery community and have an idea of what led to the relapse. You might require additional support that you were unaware of and/or did not receive help for during the first treatment experience, such as a recent diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. You will also make new connections with new people, who could have a positive impact on your recovery, now and into the future.
Whether you’re newly sober or getting sober after a relapse, it’s incredibly brave to ask for help. In fact, asking for help is the first step towards recovery—and it’s a necessary step to make. By asking for help, you’re able to stop using drugs or alcohol, separate from these substances, and get the immediate treatment you need. In treatment, you’ll also learn relapse prevention strategies to help you manage emotions, triggers, and uncomfortable situations to circumvent a future relapse.
Continuing Recovery After Relapse
People with SUDs often carry feelings of guilt, shame, and regret surrounding their addictions. These feelings are present before getting sober and are more deeply felt in early sobriety. If you’ve gotten sober before, you’re familiar with these feelings—but you also know that they lessen over time. If you return to rehab after a relapse, you may experience these tough emotions again; remember, this is normal, felt universally by everyone in recovery.
To get better, you need to ask for help, and there is no shame in reaching out. Asking for help is crucial to living a better life, and it’s far better than taking the risk of wading farther into the depths of addiction. No matter how severe you think your addiction is, there is always hope, so long as you take the first step.
Comprehensive Addiction Treatment At Bedrock
To find out if our treatment programs are right for you or your loved one, please call us today.
