Creating an Effective Relapse Prevention Plan: Tips and Strategies

relapse prevention plan

This is why people in recovery oftenlike to have other recovering addicts help them with their recovery. Your plan should include what you will do if you have a craving.Think about people you can call if you feel like using, safe places you can goand what will comfort you and calm a craving. A structured daily routine with adequate rest, proper nutrition, and movement can provide stability and reduce uncertainty. This can help manage stress and avoid situations where one might be tempted to relapse. Maintaining recovery motivation is possible through small, concerted everyday efforts. It’s often easier to break down long-term goals into more manageable chunks, such as committing to a weekly support meeting and exercising 5x weekly.

  • A common acronym heard in the recovery world is HALT — hungry, angry, lonely, and tired.
  • When facing a relapse, it can be helpful to reinvest energy and time into support groups.
  • For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
  • Ask your clients to keep their relapse prevention plan so they can refer to it during cravings or when they know they will be confronted with triggers.
  • If you have a sponsor, they should be one of the first people you turn to if you feel like a relapse is a possibility.

Creating a Relapse Prevention Plan: Worksheets and Tips (+ Free Template)

relapse prevention plan

This shared responsibility can enhance your accountability and make it easier to reach out for help when you notice these signs in yourself. Understanding these patterns is critical in avoiding similar pitfalls in the future. This self-assessment forms the foundation of your relapse prevention plan, allowing you to tailor it to your unique needs and experiences. Sometimes they are brought on by triggering events or situations, such as stress or major life events. You might specify a monthly review or revisit it after each experience of triggers and cravings.

Your addiction does not have to define who you are.

relapse prevention plan

This plan is more than just a static piece of paper; it’s a dynamic tool that evolves with the individual, reflecting their unique journey and personal growth. A relapse prevention planning worksheet can be helpful for those who find it difficult to write it themselves. After making a list of goals to work on, prioritize them soyou know what to work on first and what can wait. Your relapse prevention plan can be more than just aplan to prevent relapse, it can be a recovery plan for your whole life. If youuse it as a recovery plan, you can work on it over your whole lifetime.

Use the Tools Available to You

Support groups and 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can also be very helpful in preventing relapses. Focus on how much better your life will be once you stop using drugs or alcohol for good. Think about what’s driving you to quit, such as rebuilding damaged relationships, keeping a job, or getting healthy again.

relapse prevention plan

Knowing and understanding them can help you avoid relapses during recovery. Whether you or a loved one are experiencing challenges controlling their addictive behaviors, the road toward rebuilding self-control can be overwhelming. If a person does return to using substances, they should speak with a healthcare professional who can help them resume their treatment plan, modify it, or start a new one. For some individuals, being around particular places, circumstances, or people may increase the likelihood of them returning to use.

relapse prevention plan

Instead of drinking or using, plan to attend a support meeting or call a family member or close friend right away. 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. Your social support system might include family members, friends, sponsors, or peers from support groups.

  • Recognizing these emotions can help you seek other therapy or a recovery meeting if necessary.
  • Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service.
  • Recognizing these early warning signs can help you intervene before a full relapse occurs.
  • You can learn about the best relapse-prevention treatment options for your needs.

For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Regularly review and update your plan to ensure it remains relevant and effective. For example, you may need to work on being assertive with people who frequently violate your boundaries, or maybe you need to get better at managing your time so you don’t get anxious about being late. For example, you might want to make sure you get over 8 hours of sleep no matter what, or you might schedule a massage once a month or have a date night with your significant other once a week. This could include calling your sponsor, exercising, going to a friend’s house, meditating, or going to a 12-step meeting.

Find Drug Rehabilitation Centers Near You Anywhere In the US

relapse prevention plan

It’s essential to stick with your aftercare program and follow-up appointments. After all, relapse doesn’t mean you have failed; it means you need more support and treatment. Setting up a system to reach out if they relapse prevention plan sense you may be heading toward a relapse might also be helpful. This way, you can ensure that someone will be there to remind you of the benefits of sobriety and provide support.

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