If you’ve had a drink or used again after a time in recovery, you haven’t lost everything you’ve learned. Relapse is common, and it’s a sign that your plan needs to change, not that treatment can’t work for you. This page covers what to do first, how to stay safe, and how to get back into treatment.
First, stay safe
If you’ve been away from opioids or other drugs
After detox, or any time away from opioids, your tolerance is lower, so using the amount you used before can cause an overdose. Keep naloxone (Narcan) with you; you can buy it without a prescription.
Try not to use alone. If you do, ask someone you trust to check on you.
If someone won’t wake up or is breathing very slowly or not at all, call 911. Give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it.
If you drink heavily or every day, talk to a doctor before you cut down or stop: alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. The Haven doesn’t provide detox, but we can help you find a program.
If you’re in crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.
What to do in the next few days
- Tell someone. A sponsor, a friend in recovery, a family member who supports you, or your counselor. Keeping a relapse secret usually makes it harder to get back on track.
- Look at what led up to it. What changed before you used: stress, sleep, the people around you, missed meetings or sessions? A relapse usually builds over days or weeks, so it tells you what your plan needs.
- Get back to your supports soon. Go to a meeting, call your sponsor or counselor, or call us. The sooner you reconnect, the easier it usually is.
- Be honest with yourself about how it’s going. A single slip is different from going back to regular use. The next section can help you decide whether you need more treatment.
Feeling guilty or ashamed is normal. It helps to focus on what you’ll do next, not on what went wrong.
10 signs you may be headed toward a relapse
Do I need outpatient treatment again?
It depends on what happened and how you’re doing now. A short slip after months of recovery is different from a return to regular use. An assessment with a licensed clinician helps you decide what level of care fits you now.
It may be time to talk to us about treatment if:
- you’ve gone back to drinking or using regularly, or you can’t stop after a slip
- you’re using more than before, or in riskier ways
- drinking or using is affecting your work, family, health or legal situation
- meetings or therapy on their own aren’t enough right now
If you’ve had treatment before, an assessment looks at where you are now, not where you were. If you were assessed recently, we’ll tell you whether you need a new assessment or an update when you call.
Assessments are usually scheduled within one to two weeks. If you’re ready for treatment, you can often start intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) within a few days, and your assessment is completed in your first days in the program.
Coming back to treatment at The Haven
Many people come back to treatment after a relapse. You’re welcome here, whether you’ve been in treatment before or not.
Day IOP
Monday–Friday, 8:45 am–12:45 pm
In person in Woodbury, Shakopee and Waconia, or by telehealth.
Evening IOP
Monday–Thursday, 5:30–8:30 pm
For people who work or have daytime commitments.
Telehealth
You can also join our day or evening IOP by video when it’s a good fit for your care. Telehealth is for adults who live in Minnesota and are in Minnesota during sessions.
If you need more support than outpatient care: The Haven is outpatient only. If you need detox or residential care first, we’ll help you find a program, and you can come to us when you’re ready for outpatient treatment. Detox, residential or outpatient: where to start
If you take medication for opioid or alcohol use: You’re welcome here if you take medication prescribed by your own provider. We don’t prescribe, but we can help you find a prescriber. More about MAT support
Paying for treatment: Most people pay for treatment through insurance, Medical Assistance or Minnesota’s Behavioral Health Fund. If you don’t have coverage, call us, and we’ll talk through your options before you start. See the plans we accept
Getting started
- Call or request an appointment. We’ll call you back within one business day.
- We check your insurance and explain any costs before you start.
- Start with an assessment, or start IOP. Assessments are usually scheduled within one to two weeks. If you’re ready for treatment, you can often start IOP within a few days, and your assessment is completed in your first days in the program.
What happens if you relapse during IOP?
A relapse doesn’t mean you’re out. We talk about what happened and adjust your plan; sometimes that means more support or a referral to a higher level of care.
The most helpful thing you can do is tell your counselor as soon as you can. Being honest about a relapse is part of treatment.
Depending on what you and your counselor decide, adjusting your plan can mean:
- more one-on-one time with your counselor
- a change to your schedule, such as day instead of evening IOP
- help finding a prescriber, if you want to consider medication
- a referral to detox or residential care, if you need more support than outpatient treatment can give, with a plan to come back to IOP afterward
Every plan is individualized.
If someone you love relapsed
A relapse is hard on the people who love someone, too. Wait to talk until they’re sober, stay calm, and focus on safety and on getting back to support, not on blame.
If they use opioids, keep naloxone at home, and learn the signs of an overdose.
We can’t schedule an appointment for someone else. The person seeking help needs to contact us directly. You can help by sharing our number, (651) 734-9633, or this page with them.
Support for you: Al-Anon meetings · More for families and partners
More on relapse
- 10 Signs You Are Headed Towards a Relapse: warning signs to watch for
- Dealing with Relapse Triggers as the Seasons Change: planning for seasonal changes
- Handling the holidays sober: a holiday relapse prevention plan you can print
Call or request an appointment. We’ll call you back within one business day.
Questions about relapse
I relapsed after the holidays. Do I need outpatient treatment?
Not always. It depends on how much you’ve been using and how you’re doing now. An assessment can help you decide. If you’re ready for treatment, you can often start IOP within a few days, and your assessment is completed in your first days in the program.
What happens if I relapse during IOP?
A relapse doesn’t mean you’re out. We talk about what happened and adjust your plan; sometimes that means more support or a referral to a higher level of care.
Does a relapse mean treatment didn’t work?
No. Relapse is common in recovery, as it is with other long-term health conditions like high blood pressure and asthma. It means your treatment needs to be restarted or adjusted.
Will I have to start over from the beginning?
No. What you learned before still counts. Every plan is individualized, so your plan is built around where you are now.
Can I come back if I left treatment early?
Yes. Call us, and we’ll talk about what fits you now.
My husband relapsed. What do I do?
Encourage him to get back in touch with treatment soon, and take care of your own safety and support too. We can’t schedule an appointment for someone else. The person seeking help needs to contact us directly. You can help by sharing our number, (651) 734-9633, or this page with them.
Can I call you after hours?
Our office and phone hours are Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm. After 5 pm, leave a message and we’ll call you back the next business day. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.