A man walks by a lake and thinks about why you shouldn't punish yourself after a relapse

Why You Shouldn’t Punish Yourself After a Relapse

It’s normal to be disappointed if you relapse, especially if you’ve been sober for a while. You may feel like you’ve wasted all your hard work and disappointed the people who care about you. You may feel an impulse to punish yourself, either by beating yourself up emotionally, or engaging in some other self-destructive behavior.… Continue Reading Why You Shouldn’t Punish Yourself After a Relapse

A man holds a woman's hand as he thinks about what to say to a loved one who has relapsed

What to Say to a Loved One Who has Relapsed?

Every year, about 20 million Americans struggle with some kind of substance use issue. For every one of these, there are many more spouses, siblings, parents, children, and friends whose lives are affected by a loved one’s addiction. All of these people feel a sense of cautious optimism whenever their loved one agrees to treatment… Continue Reading What to Say to a Loved One Who has Relapsed?

a woman smiles though she remembers reasons women relapse after addiction treatment

4 Reasons Women Relapse After Addiction Treatment

Addiction relapse rates vary considerably, depending on the person and the drug. A commonly cited statistic from The Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that relapse rates are between 40 and 60 percent, while other estimates put the rate of alcohol and opioid relapse at closer to 90 percent in the first year. The… Continue Reading 4 Reasons Women Relapse After Addiction Treatment