Alcohol and drug addiction can be a chronic condition. This means that lapses (returning to use for a few times) or relapses (completely going back to the way they were) are not uncommon.
It can be very upsetting if someone has a lapse or relapse. You may experience a variety of difficult emotions and feel unsure of how to proceed. If this happens, it may help to focus on the following three areas:
- Take care of yourself, and manage your thoughts and feelings
- Identify the problem and think about your options
- Continue to use your CRAFT skills