“Relapse” means going back to a bad condition, habit, or illness after you seemed to be getting better. It is often used when someone returns to a problem they had before, like an addiction, a sickness, or a difficult mental health state.
In everyday English, people use “relapse” when something comes back after improvement. For example, someone may relapse into smoking, depression, or drug use after a period of recovery. It is a common word in health, recovery, and personal change.
Meaning & Usage
Relapse usually refers to falling back into an old problem after progress. It is most often used in medical, mental health, and addiction contexts, but it can also describe any return to a previous bad state.
Examples
“After months of recovery, he had a relapse.”
“She relapsed into old habits when life became stressful.”
“The patient’s symptoms relapsed after treatment.”
Is relapse only used for health problems?
No. It is most common in health and recovery, but it can also be used more generally for any return to a previous problem or bad habit.
What is the difference between relapse and recovery?
Recovery means getting better. Relapse means falling back after getting better.
Can relapse be used for habits?
Yes. People often say someone relapsed into smoking, drinking, or other habits they were trying to stop.
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