Staying the course: a relapse prevention plan to stay on track

With the right strategies in place, you can reduce the chances of succumbing to addiction and returning to old behaviors and habits. Clients are encouraged to identify whether they are non-users or denied users. A denied user is in chronic mental relapse and at high-risk for future relapse.

Building a Support Network

Court-mandated alcohol and drug classes are specifically designed to address the unique challenges of substance abuse and addiction. Medication-assisted treatment involves the use of medications like methadone or buprenorphine to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These medications can be especially helpful for people who are addicted to opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers. One effective strategy for managing cravings and urges is to distract yourself.

Key Elements of a Relapse Prevention Plan

Completing an addiction treatment program is a significant milestone in your recovery. It typically signals a transition into a new stage of recovery–one where you may have more freedom. Finishing an addiction rehab program Relapse Prevention Plan: How it can help you stay on track can make you feel so many emotions. You may feel excited about your fresh start toward a healthier future. You may worry that you are not prepared or feel completely confident in your ability to remain sober for life.

How Do You Make A Relapse Prevention Plan?

• Certified addiction specialists can guide your recovery and relapse prevention journey.
• Perhaps you aim to improve relationships, focus on your career or simply live a happier and healthier lifestyle.
• Sinceit can be difficult for an addict to notice relapse signs as they occur, you may want to periodically ask the people closest to you if theysee any signs of relapse in your behavior.
• A simple test of whether a person is bending the rules is if they look for loopholes in recovery.
• The practice of self-care during mind-body relaxation translates into self-care in the rest of life.
• Examples are the Marlatt and Gordon model and the Gorski-CENAPS Model for Recovery and Relapse Prevention.
• Another goal of therapy at this stage is to help clients identify their denial.

Clinical experience has shown that everyone in early recovery is a denied user. The goal is to help individuals move from denied users to non-users. Despite its importance, self-care is one of the most overlooked aspects of recovery. Without it, individuals can go to self-help meetings, have a sponsor, do step work, and still relapse. Self-care is difficult because recovering individuals tend to be hard on themselves [9]. Self-care is especially difficult for adult children of addicts [27].

The Stages of Recovery

If you find that being around them is too triggering, though, you’ll need to see, support elsewhere. For example, you can search online to find local support groups that meet in your area. It can be hard explaining to friends or family members that you aren’t able to be around them right now. Dr. Gordon Alan Marlatt, a University of Washington Psychology professor, founded this relapse model centered around high-risk situations. Know who you will call first, what you will ask of them, and if you will attend a meeting or return to rehab.

• In this section, you will outline your personal commitment to maintaining your sobriety.
• One of the most widely used relapse prevention techniques is the HALT model.
• While you can create a relapse prevention plan on your own, it may be helpful to walk through the process with someone who has knowledge of the topic like a substance abuse counselor.
• In addition to human support, it’s essential to be aware of available resources that can aid in relapse prevention.

What are some steps in creating a relapse prevention plan?

It involves creating specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals that help individuals and their families work towards a successful recovery journey. This relapse prevention plan is a tool to help you maintain your recovery journey. It is designed to help you identify your triggers, warning signs, and coping strategies.

• These resources may include books, online forums, apps, and other tools that provide education, guidance, and inspiration during difficult times.
• Whatever it may be, having clear goals and motivations in place can keep you going when times become challenging.
• Individuals use drugs and alcohol to escape negative emotions; however, they also use as a reward and/or to enhance positive emotions [11].
• By implementing a relapse prevention plan, individuals can take an active role in their recovery, empowering themselves to effectively manage their triggers and warning signs.

Gorski-Cenaps Relapse Prevention Model