Whether you call it a slip, relapse, or major mistake, breaking your abstinence from drugs and alcohol can be a devastating blow to anyone in recovery from substance use disorder.
But what’s the difference between a slip and relapse, and how do you recover from them?
In general, a slip is a relapse that doesn’t last very long. Whether you take one drink and immediately go to a meeting, or accept a puff on a joint and immediately regret it, a slip is usually short, self-contained, and followed by a return to a recovery program.
A relapse might last weeks or months — or even forever, if it becomes fatal.
Both are equally dangerous, and can prove fatal if your drug tolerance has lowered in your recovery.
So in both cases, the best strategy is to avoid them to begin with. Check out our relapse prevention tips here to stay on the clean path.
But if you do find yourself slipping, headed toward an even longer relapse, what do you do?
Getting back to your recovery program is essential. Here’s how you can start:
- Get to a meeting as soon as you can.
- Call your sponsor.
- Meet up with recovery friends in your fellowship.
- Get out of the environment where you relapsed.
- Seek detox treatment if necessary.
If you’ve relapsed, our team can help you get back on the clean path. Hope is not lost. Contact us today.