Relapse and Long-Term Recovery

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40-60% of drug addicts will relapse during their short-term or long-term treatment. This makes it sound almost impossible to recover from addiction, but the truth is that relapses are not failures. A relapse does not mean you are a full addict again, and that you have failed your recovery. In fact, relapses are just a normal obstacle on the road to recovery.

It’s not fair to classify a relapse as a failure, because it does not mean you will go back to full drug addiction. Relapsing does not mean becoming an addict again, it’s simply a mistake that can be corrected. This is why recovery statistics do not tell the full story of addiction recovery in the US.

Most recovery statistics are low because they look at recovery without relapses. It’s difficult for people addicted to any substance to recover fully without ever relapsing and using the substance again. The important part is that the recovering addict comes out of their relapse and gets back on track with quitting their addiction again.

This is where long-term support programs and therapy help. If the recovering addict has no connection with treatment centers or people that can help, it’s difficult to recover from a relapse. But, if they do have a network to check on them and help in case of a relapse, it becomes easier to fight against the cravings and start back onto the clean lifestyle without the substance.

Long-term recovery is about healthy living. It’s difficult for anyone to recover 100% from any addiction, although some are more difficult than others. Sometimes recovering addicts face relapse and failed treatments, but as long as they continue their search for true recovery they are considered a work in progress, not a failure. Taking steps to continue moving away from the addictive substance shows a commitment to long-term success, despite the obstacles and mistakes that may happen along the way.

Source: What is the Success Rate for Addiction Recovery?