What to know

After someone gets treated for a mental health condition, their symptoms may disappear or become very mild. This starts a period of remission, the length of which depends on the criteria being used. If symptoms return within the remission period, it is called a recurrence. 

In a substance use context, recurrence refers to usage of a substance after a period of sobriety. The length of the drug-free period is irrelevant. People who have a recurrence of substance use often feel guilty, ashamed, or scared that their treatment progress has been undone. When describing recurrences, language like “falling off the wagon” or “relapse” can inadvertently assign blame or weakness to the person experiencing a return of their addiction or condition and therefore reinforce stigma. Describing a “recurrence,” or saying someone has “resumed substance use,” acknowledges addiction as a disease and not a moral failing.

Additional resources

• Words Matter – Terms to Use and Avoid When Talking About Addiction (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
• Depression: Do You Know All Your R’s? (Psychology Today)
• Addictionary (Recovery Research Institute)

Summary

Recurrence refers to the return of a condition after a period without symptoms. When describing recurrences, language like “falling off the wagon” or “relapse” can inadvertently assign blame or weakness to the person experiencing a return of their addiction. Describing a “recurrence,” or saying someone has “resumed substance use,” acknowledges addiction as a disease and not a moral failing.

Related terms

• relapse
• remission