What Are the Early Signs of a Relapse?

Anyone in recovery from drugs or alcohol dreads the thought of relapsing. Relapse occurs in different stages, each marked by its early warning signs of relapse.

Warning Signs of a Relapse

In the initial emotional stage, individuals in recovery may experience heightened stress, anxiety, or depression. They might begin to isolate themselves from their support networks, neglect self-care, or engage in negative thought patterns that rationalize a return to substance use. The second stage involves mental relapse, where the person begins to contemplate using substances again. This stage is marked by the desire to use and the commitment to stay sober. Early warning signs of relapse include romanticizing past substance use, spending time with old-using friends, or even planning relapse episodes. Understanding the stages of relapse and recognizing the warning signs at each stage is vital for maintaining long-term recovery and preventing a return to drug and alcohol use.

Why Do Relapses Occur?

There are many reasons why relapse occurs. The main one that is often identified is depression. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, if left untreated, can lead a person back to using substances as a means of coping and alleviating the symptoms. On the flip side of that, using substances can often lead someone to experience mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. This opens the door for a continuous cycle of 12>drug and 12>alcohol addiction and mental health struggles.

Stages of Relapse

There are three main stages of relapse, and identifying the early signs of relapse can help prevent someone from picking up a drink or a drug and returning to the struggle they fought to get out of.

Emotional

Often the first stage of relapse, emotional relapse happens way before a person even entertains the thought of using a substance again. Emotional relapse is when someone begins to allow negative thoughts and behaviors to be persistent in their life. This can include anger, moodiness, and anxiety.

Mental

Mental relapse is the second stage of relapse. There is often an internal struggle within a person where they grapple with the desire and thought of using substances, knowing that this can lead to severely adverse reactions. Part of them wants to maintain their recovery, while the other part of them wants to pick up and begin using drugs or alcohol again.

Physical

The final stage of relapse is a physical relapse. This is when someone physically picks up a drink or drug after abstaining from use for any amount of time. At this stage, once someone physically picks up a drink or a drug, the effects of using the substance again can be quick-acting. It can lead to a person returning to their previous struggles rather quickly.

Depression

Depression is one of the major signs of relapse in people who are trying to recover from drug and alcohol addiction. Symptoms of depression can include feelings of hopelessness, low energy, anxiousness, lack of interest, irritability, and changes in sleep patterns. Watching for these symptoms can help loved ones to identify potential signs of relapse.

Anxiety

Struggling with anxiety and leaving it untreated can be a potential risk factor for relapse. The symptoms of anxiety can make daily life uncomfortable and difficult. Going out to work or school can be hard for someone with anxiety. Often, the symptoms associated with anxiety lead people to use drugs and alcohol again as a means of coping.

Social Isolation/Reconnecting with Friends Who Abuse Drugs

Part of recovery is gaining new friendships and nurturing and maintaining them. If a loved one has begun to neglect these new, healthy relationships and returned to connections with old friends who are known to abuse drugs, this could be indicative of a potential relapse. Changing people, places, and things is a major component of life in recovery. When someone reverts back to nurturing toxic friendships, it can be a matter of time before they physically pick up a substance, leading to chaos and toxicity in their life.

Talking About Drug Use

The process of recovery nurtures change. Part of the change is not glorifying drugs and drug use any longer. When someone begins talking about their past use in a positive light, glorifying their using days, it can potentially be one of the early signs of relapse. Missing drugs, talking about using them again or glorifying their past use can be a sign that something is lacking within them, and they could return to using drugs to cope with whatever it is.

Relapse Triggers

The triggers for relapse can be vast. They can include things like depression, anxiety, loss of job, sudden loss of a loved one, stress, and exhaustion. All of these things can lead a person to pick up drugs again, causing chaos and havoc in their life. Having positive coping skills for these situations can help someone to find and maintain 12>recovery long-term and not feel the need to use drugs as a means of coping.

Recover With Louisville Addiction Center

Relapse happens. The statistics on addiction say that relapse is more common than not in those seeking recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol. When relapse happens, the substances often take over quickly, leading to severe impacts on a person’s overall well-being. If you or a loved one are struggling with a relapse, Louisville Addiction Center can help. We have trained professionals who can help along in the process of healing and finding recovery, as well as relapse prevention, a crucial portion of addiction recovery. 12>Contact us today and begin your journey to healing.

Educational & Informational Use

The content published on Louisville Addiction Center blog pages is intended for general educational and informational purposes related to addiction, substance use disorders, detoxification, rehabilitation, mental health, and recovery support. Blog articles are designed to help readers better understand addiction-related topics and explore treatment concepts, but they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or individualized treatment planning.

Addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions are complex medical issues that affect individuals differently based on many factors, including substance type, length of use, physical health, mental health history, medications, age, and social environment. Because of this variability, information discussed in blog articles—such as withdrawal symptoms, detox timelines, treatment approaches, medications, relapse risks, or recovery strategies—may not apply to every individual. Reading blog content should not replace consultation with licensed medical or behavioral health professionals.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. Emergencies may include suspected overdose, seizures, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe confusion, hallucinations with unsafe behavior, loss of consciousness, suicidal thoughts, or threats of harm to oneself or others. Louisville Addiction Center blog content is not intended for crisis intervention and should never be used in place of emergency care.

Detoxification from drugs or alcohol can involve serious medical risks, particularly with substances such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and certain prescription medications. Withdrawal symptoms can escalate quickly and may become life-threatening without proper medical supervision. Any blog content describing detox, withdrawal, or substance cessation is provided to raise awareness and encourage safer decision-making—not to instruct readers to detox on their own. Attempting self-detox without medical oversight can be dangerous and is strongly discouraged.

Blog articles may discuss various addiction treatment options, including medical detox, residential or inpatient rehab, outpatient programs, therapy modalities, medication-assisted treatment, aftercare planning, and recovery support services. These discussions reflect commonly used, evidence-informed approaches but do not represent guarantees of effectiveness or suitability for every person. Treatment recommendations should always be based on a comprehensive assessment conducted by licensed professionals.

Information related to insurance coverage, treatment costs, or payment options that appears within blog content is provided for general informational purposes only. Insurance benefits vary widely depending on the individual’s plan, carrier, state regulations, and medical necessity criteria. Coverage details may change without notice, and no insurance-related statements on blog pages should be interpreted as a promise of coverage or payment. Louisville Addiction Center encourages readers to contact our admissions team directly to verify insurance benefits and eligibility before making treatment decisions.

Some blog posts may reference third-party studies, external organizations, medications, community resources, or harm-reduction concepts. These references are provided for educational context only and do not constitute endorsements. Louisville Addiction Center does not control third-party content and is not responsible for the accuracy, availability, or practices of external websites or organizations.

Use of Louisville Addiction Center blog pages does not establish a provider–patient relationship. Submitting comments, contacting the center through a blog page, or reading articles does not guarantee admission to treatment or access to services. Recovery outcomes vary, and no specific results are promised or implied.

If you are struggling with substance use, withdrawal symptoms, or questions about treatment, we encourage you to seek guidance from licensed healthcare providers. For personalized information about treatment options or insurance verification, you may contact Louisville Addiction Center directly. For emergencies, call 911 immediately.

→ Sources

Alcohol Rehab Help. (2022). Alcohol statistics in Kentucky. Alcohol Rehab Help. https://alcoholrehabhelp.org/kentucky/alcohol-statistics/
Healthy KY. (n.d.). Drug and alcohol statistics in Kentucky. Healthy Kentucky. https://www.healthyky.org/drug-and-alcohol-statistics-in-kentucky.html
Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. (n.d.). An assessment of Kentucky’s substance use disorder crisis. Commonwealth of Kentucky. https://odcp.ky.gov/
Kong, J. (2022). An assessment of alcohol use disorder and treatment [Research brief]. University of Louisville. https://louisville.edu/sphis/departments/cik/docs-and-pdfs-1/Kong_AUD_ResearchBrief_FINALADA.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). State profile: Kentucky—N-SSATS report. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/quick_statistics/state_profiles/NSSATS-KY19.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Underage drinking prevention programs in Kentucky. SAMHSA. https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/kentucky-iccpud-state-report-2024.pdf
Wikipedia. (2025). Casey’s Law (Matthew Casey Wethington Act). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey%27s_Law

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Dr. Vahid Osman, M.D.

Board-Certified Psychiatrist & Addictionologist

Dr. Vahid Osman is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Addictionologist with extensive experience treating mental illness, chemical dependency, and developmental disorders. Dr. Osman trained in Psychiatry in France and in Austin, Texas. Read more.

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Josh Sprung, L.C.S.W.

Board-Certified Clinical Social Worker

Joshua Sprung serves as a Clinical Reviewer at Louisville Addiction Center, bringing a wealth of expertise to ensure exceptional patient care. Read more.

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