Addiction is a complex disorder that involves many stages, and it's common for people in recovery to experience relapse.

Relapse can be caused by various factors, including emotional triggers, physical or situational triggers, and relational triggers. Understanding these triggers can help you to avoid them in the future.

Phase 1: Substance Abuse

A drug addiction begins when the individual begins to use drugs or alcohol in a way that is harmful. This can be anything from taking a prescription drug at a higher dosage or more frequently than is necessary, to binge drinking.

It can also be using drugs or alcohol to cope with other issues in the individual’s life, such as a mental health condition or a family history of substance abuse. Once the individual begins to regularly abuse substances, they have moved into a stage of the Relapse addiction cycle.

During this stage, the person still wants to have a good time and doesn’t want to feel any negative effects of the substance. This may happen if the drug they are abusing is used for pain, anxiety or insomnia, or it could be that they simply enjoy it.

The first step in recovery is learning to practice self-care. This can include physical care such as eating, sleeping and hygiene, and it can also include emotional care, which includes practicing mind-body relaxation.

Phase 2: Tolerance

As a person uses a substance over a period of time, their body and brain build tolerance. This means the drug no longer produces the euphoric or high effects it did when it was first used.

They may begin to increase the dosage or frequency of their drug use to try to recapture this effect. Over time, this causes their tolerance to rise and they will have to use a higher dose or frequency to get the same results they had before.

When this occurs, it can be difficult to stop using the substance because the drug has become a normal part of their life. They can have strong cravings for it and find it hard to go without it.

The most important thing a therapist can do is to teach their client coping skills. This can help to prevent relapse. For example, a client who knows how to manage their emotions can learn techniques such as deep breathing to relax before they reach relapse. It also helps to reflect on their past and identify what triggers their relapse.

Phase 3: Dependence

Relapse happens when the withdrawal symptoms are too strong or a triggering event occurs. The main risk factors for relapse include stress and mental or emotional causes.

During the emotional relapse phase, a person will begin to feel uncomfortable with themselves and their behaviors. This may lead to irritability, anxiety, or anger.

Once these emotions are present, they will be more likely to use drugs or alcohol in an attempt to relieve them. It’s important for a person to learn how to deal with these feelings so that they don’t become addicted.

Once the emotional relapse stage is over, an individual will move into the mental relapse phase. In this phase, individuals will begin bargaining with themselves for reasons to drink or use again. This could include looking for an excuse to celebrate a special event with a bottle of beer or justifying taking another substance instead of the original one.

Phase 4: Addiction

For many people with substance use disorder, addiction is a gradual process that begins with experimenting with drugs and alcohol. For others, the relationship with these substances can advance into a full-blown clinical addiction.

In the early stages of recovery, it is common for people to have a few lapses. They may take a drink or drug in a social situation, for example, without realizing they’ve taken a step back from their recovery goals.

These lapses are triggered by a variety of factors, including places and situations where they’ve used the substance before. They could see a hypodermic needle, a bottle of alcohol, or a person who is known for getting them high.

Often, relapses are triggered by emotional relapse, where individuals revert to old ways of thinking and feeling. This can include resurfacing negative emotions such as irritability or anxiety. It can also include a return to the coping strategies and behaviors that led to previous relapses.