What is a relapse?

What is a relapse?

Gail Priddy (Deputy Director) gives expert video advice on: What is a relapse?; How can I stay off alcohol?; Why do people start drinking again? and more...

Relapse, in terms of drinking alcohol, means to start drinking again after a period of abstinence. For some people, they might relapse after a day or so, or some may do that after several months. It's a return to the drinking pattern that you had before. One of the things to be wary of is if you have been drinking very heavily, then a small amount of alcohol will result in you actually feeling the same way that you did when you last had a drink.