Relapse and recovery · 2 min read
Responding to relapse
Relapse can bring up fear, frustration and uncertainty. You may be wondering what to say, whether to intervene or how to protect your own wellbeing. You don't have to work through those questions alone.
Start with safety
If someone is unresponsive, struggling to breathe, having a seizure or may have overdosed, call 999 straight away. After a period of not using, a person's tolerance may be lower, which can increase the risk of overdose.
Give yourself a moment
If it's safe, you don't have to respond immediately. Taking time to steady yourself can help you avoid saying things in anger that are hard to take back.
Remember what relapse is and isn't
For many people, recovery is not a straight line. A relapse doesn't erase earlier progress, and it isn't something you caused. It can be a point from which someone re-engages with support.
Revisit your boundaries
Boundaries you set earlier still matter. You may want to restate them calmly, or adjust them if your circumstances have changed.
Encourage, don't manage
You can encourage your loved one to reconnect with their support or treatment. Whether they do so is their decision.
Key considerations
- Nothing you do can guarantee someone will stop using again.
- Grief and disappointment after relapse are very common.
- Children in the household may need reassurance and age-appropriate explanation.
Suggested next steps
- Use 'Questions to consider when someone relapses'.
- Contact your own support, such as a family group or helpline.
- Agree with yourself what you will and won't do this time.
Further reading from trusted sources
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