Slips versus Relapse Is This a Slip or a Relapse? Smoking socially with coworkers during a training after being quit for six months, then returning to no tobacco use once home. Slip Quitting smoking, then starting nine months later after a stressful experience at work. Relapse Reducing use of nicotine pouches to one a day for over a year, then increasing use to six a day once home from deployment. Relapse Using nicotine pouches a few times three months after quitting, then quitting use fully. Slip Quitting vaping, then picking up again once on leave. (Relapse) Relapse Vaping on a night out with friends after quitting, then abstaining. Slip Reducing use or quitting substances and negative health behaviors is hard to do. When you cut back or stop using substances such as tobacco and nicotine, you may notice increased desire to use them again. The same goes for reducing frequency or use of other health behaviors or substances. A slip is temporary whereas a relapse is more permanent. Slips can lead to relapses without proper intervention. Check out examples of each and ways to get back on track toward your reduced use or quit goals below! Slips Think of slips as a momentary experience where you are off your normal routine. For example, smoking socially on a night out with friends after quitting years prior. After a slip, you can get back to your normal routine quickly. A slip is brief in the grand scheme of your reduced use or quit plan. How to Manage Slips Call out the slip for what it is – acknowledge you used a substance or restarted the behavior. Practice grace for yourself – try not to beat yourself up; forgive yourself as soon as possible. Make a plan for reducing use or quitting again – include ways to prevent future slips. Share your experience and updated plan with loved ones for support and accountability – seek out reassurance from those you feel safe with. Remember, reducing use or quitting tobacco and nicotine is hard work. Every day that you work toward your goal of decreased use or quitting completely is progress. It’s important to acknowledge that progress is rarely linear, but it is possible with the right plan and supports in place. Relapse Using the same smoking example, relapse would be if you continued to smoke after the night out for weeks or months. Relapse occurs when you stop maintaining your reduced use or quitting of a substance or behaviors. It is important to recognize that regardless of if you experience a slip or relapse, there is always the possibility of reducing use or quitting again. How to Manage Relapsing Tell loved ones you have relapsed – people who care about you will likely notice you have relapsed; lean on them for support and guidance. Ask for help – admitting you need help can be hard. Talk to loved ones, leadership and/or trusted personnel (e.g., chaplain, health care providers) about receiving professional help. Make a plan for reducing use or quitting again – include ways to preemptively avoid future relapse and build stronger responses to triggers. Practice grace for yourself – try not to beat yourself up about using a substance again or restarting the behavior; forgive yourself as you navigate the road to recovery. Remember, reducing use or quitting tobacco and nicotine is hard work. Every day that you work toward your goal of decreased use or quitting completely is progress. It’s important to acknowledge that progress is rarely linear, but it is possible with the right plan and supports in place. Other Health Behaviors to Consider Though slips and relapses are in the context of tobacco and nicotine in this article, they can occur with any health behavior. Some areas you may experience slips and relapses include: Gambling Alcohol and drug use Nutrition Exercise Oral hygiene Sleep Stress management exercises Additional ResourcesSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - “Find Treatment”Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - “National Helpline”ReferencesSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - “Recovery and Recovery Support”DiClemente, C. and Crisafulli, M. - “Relapse on the Road to Recovery: Learning the Lessons of Failure on the Way to Successful Behavior Change”
