“For many veterans, the fight doesn’t end on the battlefield—it begins at home, battling addiction.”
In Glenview, IL, places like Resilience Behavioral Health offer hope through veteran drug rehab, yet relapse remains a harsh reality. Addiction recovery isn’t a straight path, especially for those carrying trauma, PTSD, or emotional wounds.
Studies show that 40% to 60% of individuals relapse after drug and alcohol rehab, making sustained sobriety a serious challenge. But relapse isn’t failure—it’s a sign that more support is needed.
This article explores what percentage of people relapse after rehab, why it happens, and how a solid relapse prevention plan and strong support system in recovery can lead to lasting healing.
What Is the Relapse Rate After Veteran Drug Rehab?
The rehab relapse rate depends on many factors, like the type of drug and the person’s mental health. Veterans often face more challenges than others. They carry pain from past experiences, making it harder to stay sober.
Here is a table showing relapse statistics based on substance type:
|
Substance Type |
Relapse Rate |
|
Alcohol |
50% to 70% |
|
Opioids (e.g., heroin) |
70% to 90% |
|
Prescription painkillers |
40% to 60% |
High relapse rates show why aftercare services and a strong support system in recovery are so important.
Who Is Most at Risk of Addiction Relapse?
Understanding who is most at risk of addiction relapse helps in building better care plans. Veterans with mental health and relapse connections, like PTSD, anxiety, or depression, are more likely to relapse. These mental health conditions often lead to cravings or the desire to numb emotional pain.
Other risk factors include low education, past jail time, or living alone. Studies also link education level and relapse rate closely. People with less education may struggle to access or understand their treatment program, making relapse more likely.
Why Do People Relapse After Rehab?
There are many answers to the question, why do people relapse after rehab? Some veterans experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which includes sadness, sleep problems, and cravings weeks or months after detox. This can happen even after a full medical detox.
Others relapse because of daily life stress. They may lose a job, face family issues, or feel alone. These issues create negative emotions after relapse that push a person to use drugs again. When people do not have a good relapse prevention plan, they are at higher risk of falling back.
Common Triggers That Lead to Relapse After Drug Rehab in Glenview, IL
Addiction triggers can be hard to avoid. Veterans often face strong environmental and emotional triggers. These include smells, sounds, places, or people that remind them of past trauma or drug use. Triggers cause cravings, even after a long time sober.
Other triggers include:
- Stress from daily life
- Fighting with loved ones
- Feeling alone
- Being overconfident in staying sober
Overconfidence in sobriety can lead to letting your guard down. This is why a clear relapse prevention plan is so important.
The Role of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a hidden danger in substance use disorder recovery. It brings mood swings, cravings, anger, and poor sleep long after detox. Veterans may not expect these symptoms, which makes them harder to manage.
PAWS can last weeks or months. During this time, staying in outpatient treatment, attending 12-step programs, or using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps. Glenview offers many options for this kind of care.
What Does Relapse Look Like?
Recognizing the signs of relapse in recovery helps stop a relapse early. A person doesn’t just relapse overnight. There are three cognitive and emotional relapse stages. First, emotional changes like isolation or irritability appear. Then, the person thinks about using it again. Finally, they use drugs or alcohol.
Look out for these signs:
- Skipping meetings
- Avoiding family or friends
- Talking about past drug use
Catching these signs early can prevent a full relapse.
Does Relapse Mean That Rehab Failed?
People often ask, does relapse mean rehab failed? The answer is no. Addiction is a chronic disease of addiction. Like diabetes or heart disease, it requires long-term care. Relapse is not failure. It means the person needs a new or better treatment program.
Relapse as part of recovery is common. What matters is how the person responds. Veterans can still succeed by returning to care, fixing their plans, and staying hopeful.
How Support Systems Help Prevent Relapse
Support systems preventing relapse are key to staying sober. Veterans do better when they are not alone. A strong support system in recovery includes family, friends, counselors, and peers in recovery.
Good support brings emotional safety and accountability. Programs in Glenview often include family therapy, peer support groups, and sober living homes. These systems keep veterans on track and help them avoid relapse.
- Also, Read our latest blog, Understanding the Cost of Rehab in Kenilworth, IL: What Residents Need to Know Before Taking the First Step, for more insights about the treatment costs and why it matters for taking the first step to rehab.
What to Do If You Relapse After Veteran Drug Rehab
If relapse happens, don’t give up. Coping with a relapse means facing it with honesty. Start by telling someone you trust. Then, call your counselor or treatment center. You may need to re-enter addiction treatment or change your care plan.
Steps to take:
- Accept the relapse without guilt.
- Get support quickly
- Update your relapse prevention plan.
- Attend meetings again
The faster you act, the easier it is to recover.
Finding Long-Term Recovery Support in Glenview, IL
Veterans need strong, long-lasting care. Long-term sobriety comes from regular check-ins, support, and personal growth. Many people in Glenview are turning to Resilience Behavioral Health for personalized addiction treatment plans designed specifically for veterans. These plans often include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), aftercare services, and individualized goal-setting.
Helpful services provided by Resilience Behavioral Health include:
- Weekly therapy sessions
- Job readiness training and career support
- Health and wellness coaching
Veterans who stay connected to structured care—like the one offered by Resilience Behavioral Health—significantly improve their chances of long-term success. Recovery is a lifelong journey, but with the right team, it becomes a path to empowerment.
Don’t let relapse define your journey. Reach out to Resilience Behavioral Health today to create a personalized recovery plan that supports your long-term success.
FAQs
Q: How soon after rehab do most people relapse?
Most relapses occur within the first 90 days after completing rehab, a critical time when cravings and triggers are still strong.
Q: What percent of veterans become addicts?
About 11% of veterans are diagnosed with a substance use disorder, often linked to trauma, PTSD, and chronic pain.
Q: How many people are successful after rehab?
Roughly 40% to 60% of people stay sober after rehab, especially when they engage in long-term care and aftercare support.
Q: What happens after drug rehab?
After rehab, individuals often enter aftercare programs, therapy, 12-step meetings, or sober living to support long-term recovery.
Q: What are the odds of relapse after drug rehab?
The odds of relapse range from 40% to 60%, depending on the substance, co-occurring conditions, and support systems in place.
