relapse

To start drinking, taking drugs, or doing another harmful activity again after stopping.

• He relapsed and started drinking again.
• She feared relapsing after leaving the treatment centre.
• Support from friends helped him avoid relapsing into drug use.

How to use it: relapse into something (He relapsed into heavy drinking.)

Similar words: slip, backslide

Common phrases: relapse into drinking, relapse after treatment

To become worse or return after a period of improvement, especially when describing an illness.

• The disease relapsed after treatment.
• Her condition improved but then relapsed.
• Patients may relapse even after their symptoms disappear.

Similar words: recur, return

Common phrases: relapse after treatment, relapse again

To return to a previous, worse state or way of behaving after improving.

• He relapsed into silence.
• After a brief improvement, she relapsed into confusion.
• The group keeps relapsing into its old habits.

How to use it: relapse into something (He relapsed into his old routine.)

Similar words: revert, slip back

Common phrases: relapse into something, relapse into silence

A return of an illness, harmful habit, or worse state after a period of improvement.

• She suffered a relapse.
• Regular support meetings helped prevent a relapse into drinking.
• His symptoms returned during the latest relapse.

How to use it: a relapse into something (Stress led to a relapse into old habits.)

Similar words: setback, recurrence

Common phrases: suffer a relapse, prevent a relapse