What is the difference between a lapse and a relapse?
Short answer
A lapse is a single slip back into an old behaviour. A relapse is a return to the old pattern. Handled well, a lapse is something to learn from, not the start of a relapse.
Relapse-prevention research treats lapses as a common part of changing a habit. The aim is to stop a lapse turning into a relapse: notice what set it off, avoid treating it as total failure, and get back to the plan at the next opportunity.
Related questions
Why does one slip so often turn into giving up?
Because of how the slip is read. Treating one lapse as proof of failure, "I've blown it now", is a well-described reason people abandon a change. Seeing it as a one-off to learn from keeps you going.
Read the full answerHow do you get through a craving?
Treat it as a wave that rises and falls. Delay acting on it, change what you are doing, keep your hands and mouth busy, and if you are quitting nicotine, use stop-smoking products to take the edge off.
Read the full answerDo stop-smoking aids and support services really help?
Yes. Nicotine replacement products, prescribed medicines and specialist support all make quitting more likely, and combining products can increase your chances further. In the UK, local Stop Smoking Services are free.
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