A relapse is a return of symptoms in an individual who has recovered from an illness or has entered a stable period in a chronic illness. In people with drug addictions, a lapse refers to minor episodes of drug use following a period of abstinence, and a relapse refers to major episodes of drug use following abstinence.

Relapse is common among drug addicts. This is true whether sub- stance abusers have quit using drugs as a result of treatment or on their own. For example, up to 60 percent of alcoholics, heroin addicts, and smokers relapse within three months of the end of treatment. Although relapse episodes are common, treatment does help most substance abusers to reduce the frequency and severity of their drug use for long periods after treatment. Health professionals believe that addictions are chronic, or long-term, relapsing disorders. In other words, addicted individuals go through cycles...