How Many Times Do People Relapse Before Quitting Successfully? An image of a woman walking alone on an empty beach

Between 2023 and 2024, 310,863 adults in the UK were in contact with drug and alcohol rehab services. Addiction continues to grip the nation but more people are becoming open to talking about and going to get help.

Whilst going to rehab is an amazing achievement, for some people, relapse is a part of their recovery journey. If this is the case for you or a loved one, it’s important to know about overcoming relapse in recovery, how common it is and what professional support is available. Find out more here.

Understanding Addiction and Relapse

Addiction is not a lifestyle choice. It’s a chronic condition that impacts you physically and psychologically. When you become addicted to something, the reward system in your brain is hijacked. If this happens, it means that you compulsively engage in a behaviour, regardless of how it is negatively impacting your life.

Overcoming addiction is a long journey and can be a daily struggle. Relapse, the act of reengaging with addictive behaviours, is a common part of the recovery journey.

When it comes to relapsing, it’s important not to look at it as a failure. Yes, it’s a step back, but it should be treated as an opportunity to reflect. Using relapses as a chance to learn and grow decreases the chances of it happening again.

How Common is Relapse in Addiction Recovery?

Studies show that overall, 40-60% of people with any form of addiction will relapse at some point. This is similar to people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, who also rely on making big lifestyle changes to improve outcomes.

Whilst these figures may make you feel disheartened, it’s better to know that addiction recovery is a long process. There is no quick fix or guaranteed cure. Multiple attempts and a lot of commitment are needed to overcome relapses and succeed.

How Many Times Do People Relapse Before They’re Successful?

The truth is that there is no fixed number of relapses that someone must experience before achieving long-term recovery. Every person’s journey is different – some may achieve sobriety with their first attempt, whilst others may relapse several times before being successful.

Why this happens is usually unique to each person. However, several factors can influence relapse rates. They include:

  • Type of substance you are addicted to
  • Exposure to triggers
  • Mental health issues such as stress and depression
  • Level of support
  • Peer pressure
  • Lack of confidence in the ability to stay sober

Why Do Addicts Relapse?

Addiction recovery is complicated, and the reasons why people relapse are complicated too. As stated above, everyone is different and going through their unique struggles. There are some common factors, though, that can increase the risk of relapses.

Triggers

Triggers can be both external and internal. Certain environments, people and things can cause a reaction in you that makes you want to drink or take drugs again. Experiencing stress, other emotions, and negative thoughts are internal triggers. These may occur without you being aware and are harder to notice, but still lead you to relapse.

Cravings

When you stop a substance or addictive behaviour, the cravings to engage in that addiction can persist for months and years afterwards. Cravings are a desire to go back to your addiction and can manifest physically and psychologically, making them hard to ignore.

Lack of Support or Treatment

Therapy and rehab are vital to recovery. Without professional support, you are unlikely to effectively learn methods to cope long-term without indulging your addiction. Support from peers and people in your life is key too as without it you may suffer from isolation – a common relapse trigger.

Overconfidence in Recovery

Not only can negative feelings contribute to a relapse. If you believe yourself ‘cured’ and no longer need to engage in treatment, you increase the risk of relapsing. Overconfidence can lead you back to going to triggers – people, places, things – thinking you can deal with it.

What Happens After a Relapse?

Once you relapse, you may feel adrift. It’s essential not to blow everything out of proportion and spiral out of control, but also not to ignore or sweep it under the carpet.

After a relapse, you need to take time to reflect on it. You need to properly consider why it happened and gain some clarity on the situation. With that clarity and awareness of what triggered it, you can begin to move forward.

You will need to revise your recovery plan to help strengthen your sobriety. This may include attending more group support meetings, adjusting your goals and milestones and getting more professional support.

If you relapse, you should contact your support network – they can help you decide on your next step. You can also reach out for professional support, getting yourself into a rehab quickly or attending therapy. Peer support meetings happen all over the UK, so you should also think about attending one quickly.

How to Reduce the Risk of Relapse

Whilst a relapse can be likely, it is not inevitable. There are many relapse prevention strategies you can employ in your life to decrease the risk of one occurring.

  • Develop coping strategies – Addiction is often a coping method to outside stresses. Learning how to cope with stress healthily can help you deal with triggers better. Practising mindfulness, grounding techniques and deep breathing are good coping strategies.
  • Ongoing therapy and support groups – Continuing care through counselling, group therapy, and 12-step programmes will help you stay connected to others, keep you accountable and help you hone coping skills and grow.
  • Building a strong support system – You can’t go through it alone. Family, friends, and mentors can offer emotional and practical support, help you celebrate wins and distract you in tougher moments.
  • Healthy lifestyle choices – Being tired, feeling low and having low self-esteem can trigger a relapse. Eating well, exercising regularly, and practising mindfulness will help you feel physically and mentally better, reducing the risk of relapse.

Seeking Help for Addiction and Relapse Prevention

Sometimes, relapse prevention techniques are not enough. You may have faced repeated relapses and are struggling with how to move forward.

Professional support is available if you are struggling with relapse. At Step 1, we offer many treatments and therapies to help give you the best chance at achieving your long-term recovery goals.

With rehab services such as medically assisted detox, therapies and ongoing recovery support, you can take positive steps on your journey. Even when you feel disheartened after multiple relapses, long-term recovery is possible. As long as you stay committed and find techniques and skills that work for you, you’ll become the person you want to be.

Get Relapse Support Today

It’s important to remember that relapsing is not failure but a learning experience. Coming out on the other side will make you a stronger person.

If you need help on your journey, we at Step One can help. To learn more about us and how we can help you remain committed to sobriety, call now at 0330 107 2950.