It does mean, however, that you will understand the negative repercussions of having even just one drink. Just as importantly, you will be able to turn down that first drink and move along. While the recovery period may be challenging, it’s also filled with milestones that can transform your life into one that’s better than you could have previously imagined. Clinical evidence suggests that the most common causes of relapse during this stage are neglecting self-care or not attending self-help groups.