When an alcoholic relapses, it means that they have returned to drinking after a period of sobriety. It can happen for a variety of reasons, such as stress, anxiety, boredom, or the belief that they can control their drinking. Relapse is common in addiction recovery, but it doesn’t mean that treatment has failed or that the individual can’t get back on track. It’s important to offer support, encouragement, and access to resources to help the individual resume their recovery journey. This might include attending support groups, therapy, medication-assisted treatment, or re-entering a rehab program.