Relapse Prevention Plan
Relapse is a constant threat that someone must prepare for throughout all phases of addiction recovery. It is important to develop a relapse prevention plan early in recovery and continually assess one’s grounding strategies and coping techniques as they navigate their changing lives in recovery. While much attention is given to the addiction someone has suffered from, that doesn’t mean it is the only threat to be aware of. Addressing relapse prevention as a whole, as well as the different ways that relapse can manifest, can help someone achieve a healthy, sustainable lifestyle regardless of their stage of recovery.
Catching Signs of Relapse Early
Addressing relapse prevention isn’t just about catching someone in the act of reengaging with an addictive substance. Relapse from addiction can develop over time, and there are warning signs that indicate someone is at risk. It’s important to differentiate between urges and actual relapses. Urges are temporary and require immediate relapse prevention activities to manage, while a full relapse involves consistent re-engagement with addiction. Recognizing increased anxiety, depression, or withdrawal as signs of a higher risk for relapse can prompt necessary changes in the relapse prevention plan.
The Replacement Technique
In recovery, replacement is key to relapse prevention. This technique involves substituting one activity for another to develop positive connections related to recovery. For example, when an urge to use drugs or alcohol arises, engaging in an alternative activity, like jogging, can be a useful relapse prevention activity. This helps the individual reprogram their body to crave healthier behaviors instead of addictive substances. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the replacement activity doesn’t lead to new dependencies, as this can undermine the relapse prevention plan.
Recovery Is All-Encompassing
Relapse prevention is not just about addressing a specific addiction; it encompasses multiple dimensions of recovery. Feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation can lead
someone to seek new ways to cope, potentially resulting in a relapse on a substance they weren’t previously addicted to. Whether dealing with drugs, alcohol, gambling, or any other addictive behavior, addressing relapse prevention from various angles is essential. Being informed about the effects of different substances and maintaining a broad relapse prevention plan is crucial for sustained recovery.
Developing a Relapse Prevention Plan
The stress of preparing for the possibility of relapse can be intense. The chance of relapse into past addictive substances or behaviors is present from the initial detox until even years after a person has completed a recovery program. Having a relapse prevention plan in place early on can help each person better identify and react to potential stressors to prevent urges or stress from developing into a relapse. While relapses are common, they are by no means “necessary” to the recovery experience, and being prepared for them as early as possible can give each person the support and direction they may need to cope with any number of stressors before they can lead to a relapse.
Consistent Daily Relief
Relapse prevention consists of daily implementations and strategies that a person can use when they are feeling a difficult urge or a large amount of stress on their sobriety. These daily practices can be making a dedicated time to talking with your family or support network about one’s emotional state or their progress in recovery, as well as scheduled time for self-care. These elements are incredibly important as allowing regular outlets for safe self-expression can help prevent the buildup of stress beneath the surface. Relapse prevention plans will incorporate these daily elements individually, and these practices are the first lines of defense against isolation and stress that may lead to relapse.
Documenting the Prevention Plan
While it helps to have an idea of how a person can prevent relapse, it’s better to make a prevention plan. Writing down, typing up, or otherwise creating a physical version of one’s prevention plan can go a long way. Relapses can occur due to different factors and stresses, and triggers can quickly become overwhelming. Having a physical plan in place is intended to help a person quickly and effectively redirect their thoughts and energy into a particular action. Having a list of steps to take can provide needed structure in the middle of stressful episodes and can create a feeling of agency and direction that is essential in
successfully coping with urges and preventing a relapse back to an addictive substance or behavior.
Identifying Stressors and Verbalizing Sources
Stress can feel all-encompassing at times and can alter how each person views their environment. Without identifying a source of the stress or trigger, the stimuli of the world can be a lot to bear. In preventing relapse, it is important to try to identify the source of stress first and verbalize one’s emotions and feelings during the process. This may require a person to employ grounding strategies in the moment, even if it’s just counting to ten to clear a person’s head or naming objects in their environment to communicate a shared sense of reality with any support that may be present.
Support networks are vital to recovery and are intended to provide encouragement and guidance when someone is struggling during a difficult time. While acknowledging one’s struggles and identifying stressors is the first step to relapse prevention, the best thing a person can do is to reach out and verbalize how they are feeling to their support network. By asking others for help when needed, a person’s support network can help them talk through the situation and make good decisions.
Taking Breaks and Noting Changes
Difficult urges can be exhausting and while a person may want to continue to take as many actions as possible, it may also be important just to take a step back and recuperate. Having a chance to rest can better allow a person to more objectively analyze the situation and effectively communicate their experience. This can be just a night off from chores, playing video games, going on a walk with a dog, or anything else that helps a person detach themselves from their stress and regain a clear mind about the situation. After taking a break, a person can begin to analyze what is unique about a particular situation. If going to the grocery store doesn’t cause triggers, why was this trip different? Perhaps a person took a wrong turn and found themselves confronted with the liquor aisle, which caused a strong urge to drink. In this case, a person can identify the trigger and find a way to avoid it next time.
Reevaluating Goals
Battling urges and using relapse prevention tactics can cause a person to reevaluate their goals in recovery. However, this isn’t a setback by any means. Successfully implementing
a relapse prevention plan and utilizing relapse prevention activities is a cause for celebration. Due to the innumerable number of potential stressors that may occur, identifying situations that may lead to triggering events can help a person refocus their goals in recovery. Looking at what worked, such as preparing a relapse prevention plan and reaching out to support networks, can indicate proficiency in this area, allowing more energy to focus on breathing techniques instead. Reevaluating these goals is a constant through any stage in recovery and is a testament to the developments that each person has made in their efforts to maintain their hard-earned sobriety.
Professional Help and Community Support
Recovery is a long and complicated task, but the caring professionals at Brighton Recovery Center are ready to help you address your relationship with drugs, alcohol, trauma, or any co-occurring mental health disorders today. The caring professionals at Brighton Recovery Center offer specialized relapse prevention therapy in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our comprehensive programs include intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization services, detox, and residential treatment, all designed to support effective relapse prevention. We provide individualized care with professionals and peers working alongside each other to instill the most pertinent coping mechanisms and life skills that address your unique needs and goals in your journey to sobriety, all while providing a robust set of core skills to help you build your safety net for relapse prevention. Our varied approach to recovery allows each person to explore their own interests in recovery, such as art therapy, movement therapy, yoga, meditation, and much more, all available across our expansive campus.
For more information on how Brighton Recovery Center can help with your relapse prevention plan and support your journey to sobriety, call today at (844) 479-7035. We can personalize your relapse prevention plan to address your individual circumstances and needs.
