WHAT CAUSES A RELAPSE?
About half of all relapses occur in high-risk situations in which the patient experiences negative emotions such as anger, depression, and boredom. These high risk situations can be stressful, such as a conflict or argument with another person or a family health crisis. Some people relapse in situations in which they feel social pressure. For example, when you are in recovery, being at a restaurant or a party with people who are drinking alcohol can be very dangerous and may result in a relapse. Others encouraging you to join them in having a drink is obviously risky. Some people who relapse are fine in social situations but have the most difficult time when they are alone. It is important for people in recovery to identify the times when they might lose control and be vulnerable to relapse. Such difficult times differ for each person and can happen months or years after one has begun the recovery process. RISKY BEHAVIOR • Being overly confident • Testing oneself • Blaming oneself for
