Resources for Relapse

The medical definition of relapse into an alcohol use disorder may not be consistent with definitions used in recovery groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), in which the consumption of one alcoholic beverage is considered by many to be a significantly hazardous event.  For anyone who has attended AA or 12 step based programs to recover from an alcohol use disorder, consuming alcohol can especially cause feelings of extreme panic, fear, and guilt that may exacerbate pre-existing physiological vulnerabilities to ethanol. There have been peer reviewed studies showing that AA attendance may for some participants worsen binges. The purpose of this page is provide information about alternatives to AA for persons who may be experiencing relapse or alcohol consumption and feel as though the program may be worsening their problem. Nothing on this page is intended to be medical advice. If you are experiencing health problems related to alcohol, talking to a doctor about it and bring some of the information on this page may lead to a helpful discussion about resolutions.