A relapse prevention plan is a strategic approach designed to help individuals maintain sobriety by anticipating potential triggers and implementing proactive measures. It plays a very important role in recovery by providing a structured framework to navigate the challenges that can lead to relapse. A relapse prevention plan worksheet that starts with setting personal goals for wanting to stay sober helps a patient find a life purpose. It keeps the patient’s mind distracted and away from the object of addiction. A supportive environment helps to motivate the loved one in recovery by rewarding their progress and providing encouragement even in difficult times.
Steps to Creating a Relapse Prevention Plan
- Part of strategizing for recovery can be writing a relapse prevention plan and taking steps to help yourself stick to it.
- It helps individuals manage emotions and improve relationships, which can be a valuable coping tool.
AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers. Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. Addiction Resource team has compiled an extensive list of the top drug rehabilitation facilities around the country. Click on the state you are interested in, and you’ll get a list of the best centers in the area, along with their levels of care, working hours, and contact information. While experts agree that recidivism is part of recovery and happens gradually, there are different explanations of its phases and warning signs.
Worksheets & Handouts for Building a Support System
- Being physically healthy can help you to have a clearer mind and feel less stressed as well as increase self-confidence.
- The more specific your action plan is, the better, as this means you will be less likely to come within close reach of a relapse.
It can also help them recognize the importance of following through and staying committed to their recovery goals. Using a Relapse Prevention Plan, you can help your patient stay on track with their goals and provide them with the tools they need to remain abstinent. Consider any potential scenarios, thoughts, or feelings that might trigger a relapse. Ask your patient to think about how they can respond to prevent relapse when these triggers arise. Addiction Resource does not offer medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Only trained and licensed medical professionals can provide such services.
Building a Support System
By recognizing this reality, patients should be motivated to stay on guard and learn as much as they can about how to prevent it. Patients should be able to identify red flags in their behavior and emotional and mental states. If red flags can be spotted early on, the patient can roll out mitigating measures to stop progression to recidivism as soon as possible. Certain evidence has shown that up to two-thirds of chronic drug users slip up within weeks to months of starting treatment, and up to 85 percent of users return to drug use within one year of quitting.
In this section, we provide a step-by-step guide to creating your own relapse prevention plan, complete with a printable template. Healthy lifestyle changes support overall well-being and promote a successful recovery journey. To help patients in their recovery journey, healthcare professionals use a Relapse Prevention Plan to assess the risk of relapsing and create strategies to avoid and overcome it. This tool is a personalized plan that outlines goals, strategies, and resources individuals can use to help them stay on track. One vital component of the relapse prevention plan is looking out for and avoiding contact with potential triggers during treatment. If one has already relapsed in the past, it is essential to write down the list of triggers that led to recidivism.
- While patients may be strong-willed and highly motivated to maintain sobriety, they will need all of the help to overcome addiction, from both personal and professional circles.
- Relapse prevention plans are highly personal, and tailored to your specific circumstances, triggers, and needs.
As time passes, it may be important to revisit your relapse prevention plan. The components you acknowledged in your plan at the beginning of your recovery have the potential to change and develop over time, as do the people in your support system. Each individual’s needs will vary, so it is important to assess where you are in your recovery and to be honest with yourself.
There are many resources available for families who want to create a relapse prevention plan, including support groups, therapy, and online resources such as articles and videos. It is important to find resources that are tailored to individual needs and preferences. Addictive disorders are widely recognized as chronic conditions that often involve relapses. Recent studies from clinical treatments indicate that a significant majority, over two-thirds of individuals, experience a relapse within weeks to months of starting treatment. According to Mental Health America (MHA), up to 60% of individuals with substance use disorders will experience at least one episode of relapse.
As outsiders, they may help you identify relapse triggers you’ve overlooked. They may also be eager to be contact points as you craft your trigger responses. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques relapse prevention plan with mindfulness strategies. It helps individuals manage emotions and improve relationships, which can be a valuable coping tool. By understanding and implementing these key components, you can create a robust relapse prevention plan that supports your long-term recovery. Substance use disorder is often characterized as a chronic disease affecting brain function and behavior.