About 10% of Americans experience substance use disorder (drug addiction) at some point in their lives. If you or someone you love develops this disease, you might worry it will never go away. Fortunately, most people with addiction recover.

Does Addiction Ever Go Away?

According to a 2020 study published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3 out of 4 people with addiction eventually recover.

In addition, a 2018 study found that over 9% of American adults (about 22.3 million people) are in recovery from addiction.

How To Achieve Recovery

To achieve recovery, each person with addiction needs their own unique treatment plan. Some people receive inpatient care, which means they live at an addiction treatment center. Other people receive outpatient care, which means they regularly visit an addiction treatment center while living at home.

Whether inpatient or outpatient, an effective treatment plan includes services such as:

medical detox, in which doctors help you get drugs out of your system with minimal withdrawal symptoms
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which a mental health professional helps you change unhealthy behaviors and beliefs that contribute to your drug abuse
family therapy, in which a mental health professional helps you and your loved ones resolve conflicts and maintain strong relationships
medication-assisted treatment (MAT), in which doctors prescribe medications to ease cravings and other withdrawal symptoms caused by alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder
support groups (including 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous), in which you can discuss your experiences and coping strategies with other people in addiction recovery
aftercare planning, in which your treatment team identifies strategies to reduce your risk of relapse, such as ongoing therapy, support groups, and assistance with education, employment, or housing

With these treatments, you or your loved one can build a fulfilling, sober life. During recovery, many people repair damaged relationships, start new careers, purchase their first homes, and achieve other important milestones.

Recovery Is Different For Everyone

Not everyone with addiction has the same chance of recovery. Some people find recovery easier simply due to the way their brains respond to drugs.

In general, the more severe your addiction, the more difficult it is to recover. However, even people with severe addictions to highly addictive drugs have a good chance of recovery with the right treatment plan.

In addition, some people are less likely to recover because they have trouble accessing treatment.

For instance, research shows that many Black and Hispanic Americans struggle to find treatment due to racial bias. Similarly, people who struggle financially or who live in rural areas may have difficulty finding a treatment program that meets their needs.

Finally, although addiction is treatable, everyone in recovery faces the risk of relapse.

Understanding Relapse

An addiction relapse occurs when you start using addictive substances again. Studies show that between 40% and 60% of people with addiction relapse at least once. That’s similar to the relapse rates for other chronic diseases, including asthma and hypertension.

Does Relapse Signal Failure?

Some people think relapse signals failure. In reality, relapse is simply a sign that you need additional or modified treatment.

For example, you might need medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or dual diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment addresses addiction that occurs alongside other mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

How To Lower Your Risk Of Relapse

You can lower your risk of relapse by identifying your triggers. A trigger is anything that makes you want to use drugs again. The most common triggers include:

difficult feelings, such as stress, anger, or grief
difficult life events, such as job loss, divorce, or the death of a loved one
alcohol advertisements
parties or other celebratory events where people tend to use alcohol or other drugs bars, clubs, or other places associated with drug use
old friends, drug dealers, or other people associated with drug use

Once you identify your triggers, you should develop coping skills to manage them. Some of the most effective coping skills include:

deep breathing
meditating
listing the reasons you got sober in the first replace
reaching out to your support system
exercising
spending time outdoors

You can also cope with some triggers by avoiding them. For instance, you can try to keep your distance from people, places, and situations linked with drug use, especially in early recovery.

Moreover, you can reduce your risk of certain emotional triggers (such as stress and irritability) by practicing self-care. That means you should get plenty of sleep, exercise on a regular basis, eat well-balanced meals, and make time for wellness activities like journaling and meditating.

For help identifying your triggers and determining how to cope with them, talk to your therapist or support group.

Signs Of Relapse

To achieve long-term recovery, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of relapse. The most common signs include:

drug cravings
mood swings
loss of interest in therapy, support groups, or other recovery-related strategies
loss of motivation
isolation

If you notice these signs, contact your therapist or primary care provider right away. They can help you develop a plan to protect your health and sobriety.

If you or someone you love struggles with substance abuse, please reach out to Northeast Addictions Treatment Center. Our board-certified healthcare providers offer personalized, evidence-based care to help you or your loved one stay drug-free.

People Also Read:

Sources:

Drug and Alcohol Dependence — Prevalence and correlates of ever having a substance use problem and substance use recovery status among adults in the United States, 2018
Harvard Health Publishing — Does addiction last a lifetime?
National Institute on Drug Abuse — Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
Treatment and Recovery
National Institutes of Health — 10 percent of US adults have drug use disorder at some point in their lives

Does Addiction Ever Go Away?