What is a Relapse Prevention Plan?

You may include space to write about each of the 12 steps and in particular
your moral inventory, work on character defects and amends. You can track your
progress on your 12 Step work and include a daily inventory to check if you
have done anything during the day that might hurt anyone. Since stress and anxiety https://ecosoberhouse.com/ can trigger cravings, you can
include some relaxation and stress management techniques. Try to add your own to the list until you have at least ten to
twenty options that you can try when you feel anxious or under stress. Family support is critical to long-term success in recovery from a substance use disorder.

  • Often a
    fellow addict can see the signs before someone else can.
  • The acronym “HALT” stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired—four common conditions that can trigger a relapse.
  • A return to substance abuse after a period of sobriety qualifies as a relapse.
  • One strategy is to shift thinking immediately as a craving arises.
  • Part of creating a new life in recovery is finding time to relax.
  • Clinical experience has shown that the following are some of the causes of relapse in the growth stage of recovery.

No matter how small, every step is progress on this heartening recovery journey. Always have a list of contacts — loved ones, helplines, or therapists — who you can reach out to during intense moments of vulnerability. Celebrate the milestones and recalibrate the areas that need tweaking. A consistent routine with proper nutrition, sleep, and physical activity can profoundly impact your mental well-being. This could be reading, walking, crafting, or even calling a friend. About half of people recovering from an SUD eventually return to using within 12 weeks of completing intensive inpatient programs that may last 4–12 weeks or more.

The Relapse Prevention Plan

If you stop following your treatment plan, you are much more likely to relapse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, relapse rates for substance use disorders are similar relapse prevention plan to rates for other chronic illnesses like hypertension and asthma. An estimated 40 to 60 percent of people in recovery may relapse but that doesn’t mean that treatment doesn’t work.

  • Although every person’s strategy will be different, the following five components should be a part of any solid relapse prevention plan.
  • Relapse prevention is one of the main goals of drug or alcohol treatment programs.
  • When people enter a substance abuse program, I often hear them say, “I want to never have to think about using again.” It can be frightening when they discover that they still have occasional cravings.

However, their emotions and behaviors are setting the stage for a relapse. Events, specific people (such as friends who are also using), and certain places can put you at higher risk of relapsing. Emotional relapse is the first stage of substance abuse relapse.

Rule 1: Change Your Life

Nevertheless, the first and most important thing to know is that all hope is not lost. Relapse triggers a sense of failure, shame, and a slew of other negative feelings. It’s fine to acknowledge them, but not to dwell on them, because they could hinder the most important action to take immediately—seeking help. Taking quick action can ensure that relapse is a part of recovery, not a detour from it. In the absence of an emergency plan for just such situations, or a new life with routines to jump into, or a strong social network to call upon, or enhanced coping skills, use looms as attractive. Alternatively, a person might encounter some life difficulties that make memories of drug use particularly alluring.

relapse prevention plan