Oftentimes, relapse seems like a revolving door – an endless cycle of addiction, intervention, treatment, recovery, and relapse. The vicious cycle begins again. But why does it have to be that way? Why can’t your friend, child, or relative just quit?
The statistics can be discouraging. 47% of addicts relapse within the first year of treatment, and 61% of those who relapse once will relapse again. Drug relapse is actually comprable to relapse for other chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, type 1 diabetes, and asthma. The five-year relapse rates vary widely by drug, but they are highest for opiates/painkillers, heroin, and alcohol – with relapse rates of 97%, 87%, and 86% respectively.
Relapse affects recovering addicts across borders of race, age, and gender. But it is important to remember that relapse is not failure; for some it can be an important step on the road to recovery. Learn more about this issue in the following infographic from Clarity Way.
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Co-founder and Vice President of SearchRank, responsible for many of the day to day operations of the company. She is also founder of The Arizona Builders’ Zone, a construction / home improvement portal.
