These sobriety based symptoms can be reactivated at any time during recovery. This is called 'partial recovery'. Let's look at the normal process of recovery and examine what sometimes happens to block complete recovery from occurring. There are mistaken beliefs about relapse, these beliefs can increase the risk that relapse will occur. Changing some of those beliefs can assist in preventing relapse.
Most people think of using addictive chemicals when they think of 'relapse'.
Certainly return to addictive use represents relapse. But because of research in recent years, more and more people are coming to recognise that the process of relapse begins before addictive use starts. People can become dysfunctional in sobriety without drinking or using. They can lose control of judgement and behaviour. They can develop emotional problems or physical problems.