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The first thing you should do after recognizing that relapse has occurred is find safety. If you don’t think 911 is necessary, contact a sponsor, therapist or loved one you trust who https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/relapse-prevention-plan-how-it-can-help-you-stay-on-track/ can get you help. 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.

A missing piece of the puzzle for many clients is understanding the difference between selfishness and self-care. Clinical experience has shown that addicted individuals typically take less than they need, and, as a result, they become exhausted or resentful and turn to their addiction to relax or escape. Part of challenging addictive thinking is to encourage https://ecosoberhouse.com/ clients to see that they cannot be good to others if they are first not good to themselves. How honest should a person be without jeopardizing his or her work or relationships? Clients are encouraged to understand the concept of a recovery circle. This is a group of people that includes family, doctors, counselors, self-help groups, and sponsors.

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Restoring normal brain function is difficult, which is why many people relapse during recovery. Depending on the duration and severity of a person’s addiction, it can take months or years of abstinence for the brain to recover from substance abuse. The relapse prevention model is a cognitive-behavioral approach designed to limit or prevent relapses.

• In this article, we will explore five ways that may help prevent a person in recovery from returning to drug or alcohol use.
• We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders.
• If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, contact The Recovery Village today.
• Think about what’s driving you to quit, such as rebuilding damaged relationships, keeping a job, or getting healthy again.
• It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
• As part of their all-or-nothing thinking, they assume that change means they must change everything in their lives.

Dr. Ahmed Zayed has degrees in Medicine and Surgery and is a graduate of The University of Alexandria. Dr. Ahmed Zayed has a passion for writing medical and healthcare articles and focuses on providing engaging and trustworthy information to readers. By knowing the triggers, the patient can put mitigation measures in place. That’s where getting help and pursuing personal development come into play, to help counter them. The Marlatt Model illustrates how both tonic (stable) and phasic (short-lived) influences interact with each other in order to evaluate the likeliness of a relapse.

Creating a Relapse Prevention Plan

Below is a sample of a relapse prevention plan that can serve as a guideline when writing your own recovery care plan. What changes are you willing to make, and what are your motivations for making them? A relapse prevention plan must be customized to the individual and their specific needs, preferences, and surrounding resources and support system. Sometimes they are brought on by triggering events or situations, such as stress or major life events. If the temptation to use again becomes too overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.

• Relapse is a return to drug and/or alcohol use after a period of abstinence.3 There are several things that a person can do to minimize episodes of relapse, including making a recovery plan.
• A severe relapse may require inpatient treatment, but outpatient therapy may be appropriate for some people.
• Contact a healthcare professional if you or someone you know suffers from a substance use disorder.
• It has been shown that the way to get the most out of 12-step groups is to attend meetings regularly, have a sponsor, read 12-step materials, and have a goal of abstinence [24,25].

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. Since they’ve likely been in your shoes, they may have some insight and suggestions. Contacting the supportive people in your life can have a tremendous impact on cravings and relapse. Try to brainstorm a list of scenarios that could lead to potential relapse and list the warning signs of relapse. Some people begin to feel, think or behave differently when a relapse is brewing. Regardless, it is important to consider the following items when creating a relapse prevention plan.

Relapse Prevention Treatment

The phrase “cravings” is used to refer to the feeling someone has when they wish to use again. However, if you have a solid plan to confront such cravings, a relapse won’t be on the radar. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.

Create a list of healthy coping skills and tools you can use when cravings or thoughts of relapse occur. These coping skills can include building a healthy support system of friends and family. Addiction isn’t a disease that can be overcome in weeks or months. They recognize that they can’t have one drink or let their guard down for a single day. They’re constantly practicing coping skills, stress-relief techniques and healthy habits.

A plan can serve as a blueprint to fall back on in times of stress, reminding you of your options at that moment and of your goals for moving forward. Relapse prevention plans are highly personal, and tailored to your specific circumstances, triggers, and needs. You may not plan to relapse, but that doesn’t mean you’re not susceptible to one. The ultimate goal of relapse prevention is to stay sober for life. This requires long-term treatment and daily work on your behalf.