Techniques & Strategies for Relapse Prevention
A Relapse Prevention Program Teaching You the Skills to Protect Your Recovery
You've Done the Hard Work Now Let's Keep It
Getting sober is a great achievement. Staying sober can become a lifetime endeavor. You have gone through detoxification. You have learned new coping skills in therapy. You have committed yourself to sobriety and recovery. However, you still have cravings, still encounter triggers, and still find yourself in high-risk situations.
At Agape Treatment Center, we offer a relapse prevention program that will teach you how to recognize warning signs of relapse before they reach a critical stage, how to manage those triggers without using drugs, and the importance of establishing a solid support network that will hold you accountable for your actions. With the right tools in place, you can prevent relapse from becoming a part of your story.
What is Relapse Prevention?
A relapse is defined as losing your sobriety and going back to using drugs when you are recovering from a substance use disorder, whether it’s alcohol or drugs.
Relapse prevention is an evidence-based approach to recovering from those substance use disorders. It teaches you to recognize and manage the thoughts, feelings, and situations that cause you to use drugs. Relapse is very common: Between 40-60% of people who are in recovery will have one.[1] However, just because relapse is common does not mean it is inevitable or that you have failed. Relapse is an indicator that you have not adequately developed or strengthened your plan for relapse prevention.
How Relapse Prevention Works
When you learn about how to prevent relapses, one of the first things to understand is that relapse is a process and not an isolated occurrence.[2] There are stages or steps in the progression of relapse, and you need to be able to monitor these stages for early identification and intervention.
The Three Stages of Relapse
There are typically three stages to relapsing:
- Emotional stage: Not taking care of yourself, self-isolating or bottling up emotions.
- Mental stage: Wanting to go back to using drugs, thinking about people or places associated with drug use, lying about where you are or why you are there, planning to acquire the substances you’ve been abstaining from.
- Physical stage: Actually taking the substance again.
The sooner you recognize that you have entered the emotional or mental stages of relapse, the easier it will be for you to prevent the physical aspect of a relapse.
Identifying Relapse Triggers
People have many different types of triggers. The most common include:
- Negative feelings (e.g., sadness, anger)
- Physical pain
- Stress
- Boredom
- Problems with money
- Relationship problems
- Seeing drug paraphernalia
- Passing by places where you have used drugs in the past
- Associating with people currently using drugs
Triggers can either be external (situations or environments) or internal (thoughts and feelings). Learning effective relapse prevention techniques will enable you to identify your personal triggers, develop a plan to address each trigger, and establish the necessary coping mechanisms for each trigger.
Building Coping Strategies
Coping strategies can help you when you experience triggers. In order to effectively use your coping strategies, you will need to use evidence-based relapse prevention strategies, including:
- Mindfulness-based relapse prevention to remain present with your craving without acting on them.
- Cognitive-behavioral techniques to challenge your negative thoughts about using drugs.
- Using deep breathing or relaxation exercises to alleviate the physical symptoms associated with cravings.
- Reaching out to your support network for support when you are experiencing a craving.
- Obtaining regular exercise or participating in physically stimulating activities that improve your mental health.
Creating Your Relapse Prevention Plan
An example of a written relapse prevention plan would be:
- A list of your personal triggers (e.g., internal and external)
- Your warning signs that you are experiencing an emotional or mental relapse
- Coping skills for all of your triggers
- Telephone numbers for all of the people in your support network
- Your motivations for remaining sober
- Your action plan in the event you experience a lapse or a relapse
This written plan will provide you with the “roadmap” you will need when experiencing cravings or being in a high-risk environment.
Efficacy of Art Therapy in Recovery
Structured relapse prevention programs are effective for preventing relapse as indicated by the following evidence:
Reduces relapse rates
Participants in structured relapse prevention programs have much lower rates of relapse to alcohol and other drugs than non-participants.[3]
Extends time to relapse
Individuals with relapse prevention skills typically will take longer to relapse if they do.[4]
Improves quality of life
The use of self-care, healthy coping strategies, and strong support systems contributes to overall improvements in wellness, mental health, and physical health for those using relapse prevention techniques.[5]
Works across substances
Relapse prevention has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of alcohol use disorders, opioid use disorders, stimulant use disorders, and other substance use disorders.[6]
Enhances other treatments
Relapse prevention strategies enhance the effectiveness of other treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, providing comprehensive support for recovery from addiction.[7]
As evidence indicates, learning relapse prevention techniques is a necessary component of maintaining long-term recovery from addiction/alcoholism and minimizing the risk of relapse.
Our Speciality
What to Expect from Relapse Prevention Training
From your first days in medical detox through outpatient programs and aftercare, you’ll learn and practice strategies to protect your recovery.
Ongoing Support
You will receive ongoing support for relapse prevention through aftercare and follow-up services. This support typically includes regular check-ins with your treatment team, participation in co-occurring support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, an accountability partner or sponsor, and access to therapy when you experience challenges.
In Treatment Programs
During inpatient and residential treatment, relapse prevention training is a daily part of your schedule. You will work on identifying triggers in individual therapy, learn new coping skills in educational groups, and practice those techniques during group activities. You will also sit down with your counselor to develop your initial relapse prevention plan.
As you transition into partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or outpatient care, you finally get the chance to use these strategies in real-life situations. This part of the process includes:
- Applying your relapse prevention strategies in everyday life.
- Reporting back to your group about how your techniques worked when you actually ran into triggers.
- Adjusting your prevention plan based on what you are learning about yourself in the real world.
- Strengthening your support system through family, peers, and healthcare providers.
Relapse Prevention at Agape Treatment Center
Relapse prevention is an integral part of all treatment programs at Agape Treatment Center. We do not wait until you are near completing your treatment to discuss relapse prevention; we integrate it throughout your entire treatment experience.
Agape’s relapse prevention program utilizes evidence-based techniques, an individualized relapse prevention plan based on your personal triggers and patterns of use, group skills practice, and ongoing support at all levels.
Our Approach to Relapse Prevention
We recognize that what triggers one person might not affect another, and the coping strategies that work for you might differ from what helps someone else. Our approach personalizes relapse prevention while teaching evidence-based techniques proven effective.
Our approach includes:
01
Individualized Planning
Your relapse prevention plan is based upon your personal triggers, patterns of use, and recovery goals. We tailor the plan to your specific mental health needs and support system so it isn’t just a generic template.
02
Skills Practice
03
Family Involvement
04
Continuing Care
05
Connection to Community Support
Protecting Your Recovery
At Agape, we believe relapse prevention isn't about living in fear of using again; it's about building confidence in your ability to handle whatever life brings without turning to substances.
By establishing a solid plan for preventing relapse, learning to recognize the triggers, practicing how to cope in a healthy manner, and developing relationships with others who support your recovery process, you can create a strong foundation for long-term success.
Create Your Way to Freedom
At Agape, we believe relapse prevention isn’t about living in fear of using again; it’s about building confidence in your ability to handle whatever life brings without turning to substances. By establishing a solid plan for preventing relapse, learning to recognize the triggers, practicing how to cope in a healthy manner, and developing relationships with others who support your recovery process, you can create a strong foundation for long-term success.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Relapse Prevention
What are the most effective relapse prevention strategies?
The most effective strategies to prevent relapse include: 1) identifying the triggers that will lead you to relapse and avoiding them, 2) having a number of coping strategies, like deep breathing, exercising, 3) developing a strong support network of family members, therapists, and other peers, 4) using self-care techniques like getting enough sleep and proper nutrition to maintain wellness, 5) maintaining connection with support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and 6) using a written plan for preventing relapse that can be easily referenced during times of difficulty.
Is relapse a normal part of recovery, or does it mean treatment failed?
Relapse is very common in recovery, but it does not happen in all cases. Approximately 40-60% of individuals recovering from substance abuse will experience a relapse while in recovery. However, relapsing does not mean you did not complete treatment successfully. If you do experience relapse, use this experience as a way to determine how you will strengthen your plan for preventing relapse, or go back to treatment, rather than terminate your recovery process. Many people who live long-term sobriety have not experienced a relapse because they continually apply what they have learned in order to prevent future relapses.
How can I tell if I'm headed toward relapse before it happens?
Warning signs of a relapsing experience include: neglecting to take care of yourself, isolating yourself from other supportive individuals, increasing levels of negativity without using healthy coping strategies, glorifying your past experiences with substances, associating with people or places tied to your substance use, lying to your treatment provider, and thinking “just one more time is okay.”
What should I do if I experience a lapse or relapse?
If you have experienced a lapse or relapse, you should reach out to your support network and disclose to them the information about your lapse or relapse. Return to your provider for additional treatment if necessary and determine if any changes need to be made to your plan to help with triggers or coping strategies. Most importantly, practice self-compassion rather than guilt or shame. In the event that you experience a lapse, use the experience to help strengthen your recovery process without erasing any progress you have already accomplished.
Can family members help with relapse prevention?
Yes. Family members play a vital role in assisting loved ones in preventing relapse by learning the warning signs of relapse and how to recognize them, providing emotional support without enabling, attending family therapy sessions, helping connect loved ones with medical care, attending programs to provide healthy support for themselves (such as Al-Anon), and being sure to celebrate all of the milestones their loved one achieves. Family members must understand that each person is responsible for their own recovery, but extra support can facilitate their loved one’s recovery.
Sources
[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, July). Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery
[2] [5] Melemis, S. M. (2015). Relapse prevention and the five rules of recovery. The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 88(3), 325–332. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4553654/
[3] Magill, M., & Ray, L. A. (2009). Cognitive-behavioral treatment with adult alcohol and illicit drug users: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 70(4), 516–527. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2696292/
[4] Bowen, S., Witkiewitz, K., Clifasefi, S. L., Grow, J., Chawla, N., Hsu, S. H., … & Larimer, M. E. (2014). Relative efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention, standard relapse prevention, and treatment as usual for substance use disorders. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(5), 547–556. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4489711/
[6] Hendershot, C. S., Witkiewitz, K., George, W. H., & Marlatt, G. A. (2011). Relapse prevention for addictive behaviors. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 6, 17. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3163190/
[7] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (3rd ed.). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf
