“In my 35 years of experience, education, and work in the profession of addiction treatment, I have learned that a recovering person needs help in their biological and physical, social and psychological, and spiritual wellbeing. The abusive use of drugs and alcohol not only changes and disrupts a person in the all the aforementioned domains of life, it inhibits their ability to grow and develop in each of those domains”
Dr. Keith Marshall, Psy.D.,M.A., LAADC, SUDCC-IV-CS, C.A.TC.V
In some cases, relapse can occur suddenly, and individuals struggling with drug or alcohol cravings can give in without reaching out for help. The best way to prevent sudden relapse is to understand warning signs of addiction and factors that commonly lead to relapse. Factors vary for each person and situation, but relapse causes include emotional triggers, social situations, and physical changes.
Some specific situations that can lead to relapse include: