Recurrence of Use: What is Recurrence of Use?

A recovery house operator may have heard the term “relapse” or “recurrence of symptoms.” These phrases are used because the terminology regarding recovery has changed as the understanding of the disease of addiction has advanced.

However, there is a lack of consensus on many of these terms and definitions.

–

Each recurrence of use experience is different. Often these different experiences start with thoughts, behaviors and actions that occur prior to a person using substances.

A resident might experience a one-time situation that is an error in judgment due to environmental triggers or extreme situations. That is a completely different situation from the resident who uses substances because they are no longer interested in a recovery-oriented lifestyle.

Three key attributes define “recurrence of use”:

• Interruption of abstinence,
• Vulnerability to uncontrollable substance-related behavior and/or cues, and
• A transition to potential progression or regression.

–

Recurrence of use is recognized as a process. 

Recognizing recurrence of use as a process requires that we view each of these incidents using a person-centered approach, with a goal of ensuring safety, reducing trauma, allowing residents to learn from the experience, and providing support to break the cycle of the recurrence of use.