What are the statistics for relapse?

What are the statistics for relapse?

How common are relapses? According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, “Relapse rates for addiction resemble those of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.”1 In numbers, the statistics indicate that anywhere from 40 to 60 percent of people with addiction will experience a relapse.

How many people relapse in their first year?

As noted, up to 85% of individuals relapse within their first year of sobriety. The good news is that the longer one is able to maintain their recovery, the better chance they have at sustaining long-term sobriety.

What are causal factors that contribute to relapse?

Stress is very commonly identified as one of the reasons people fall into addiction relapse. There are several reasons why stress might cause an individual to return to harmful alcohol or drug use. For one, as we said before, recovering from an addiction can cause people to feel a lot of pressure.

How many years is long-term recovery?

A person is considered in long-term recovery or remission when they have stopped or moderated their substance use and improved their quality of life for at least five years. The early stages of crisis stabilization are past, the damage drug use has inflicted is undergoing repair, and a “normal” life is being built.

Is addiction life long?

The myth of the addictive personality It depends on which model of addiction and recovery you subscribe to. If you are a traditionalist who believes that addictions last a lifetime, that people readily substitute addictions, and that people have ingrained “addictive personalities,” the answer is: absolutely not.

How much of addiction is genetic?

Scientists estimate that genetic factors account for 40 to 60 percent of a person’s vulnerability to addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is currently supporting a major research effort to identify gene variations that make a person vulnerable to drug addiction.

Are relapses OK?

While relapse is part of the recovery experience for many people, it should not be taken lightly. Relapse not only endangers your recovery, but it can endanger your life, more so than your initial addiction.

Why do I want to relapse?

Sometimes, you unknowingly begin taking steps toward a relapse weeks or months before actually drinking or using drugs. Certain thoughts, feelings, and events may trigger cravings and urges for drugs and alcohol, and, if not properly dealt with, may increase your chances of relapsing.