While you can create a relapse prevention plan on your own, it may be helpful to walk through the process with someone who has knowledge of the topic like a substance abuse counselor. Relapse plans can be verbalized but may also be written in order to have a more clear outline of what steps to take should a relapse seem to be a possibility. An individual’s mental health is also an area that can be highly impacted by recovery and relapse in addiction. Any underlying symptoms of anxiety or depression will become present during times of recovery and may even influence relapse.

Pinnacle Peak Recovery in Scottsdale, Arizona helps those suffering from addictions get back on the road to recovery. We now have a local detox center to help in that process as well. Our staff provides programs such as sober living, traditional living, and primary and extended care. We also offer dual diagnosis treatment to make sure we get to the root of the problem.

Relapse Prevention Plan Example

They occur when the person has a window in which they feel they will not get caught. Part of relapse prevention involves rehearsing these situations and developing healthy exit strategies. Another very important aspect of a relapse prevention plan is setting daily, weekly, monthly (and forever) goals for achieving a healthy lifestyle. Examples could be taking 30 minutes to practice yoga each morning, adopting a new hobby like pottery classes or martial arts, or creating your own healthy meal plan each week. Making daily efforts to prioritize your overall well-being not only helps you manage stress but also reinforces your sense of self-worth and value. A relapse prevention plan is used to help keep a person from using a substance after they have decided to quit.

Once negative thoughts take hold, negative consequences in the form of physical actions may follow more easily. If practical steps aren’t taken, or coping skills aren’t leveraged, the vicious cycle begins again. These emotions are also indicators of Post-Acute Withdrawal when the brain is still recalibrating after process addiction or drug or alcohol addiction. The brain and body are correcting the chemical damage that was sustained due to substance use.

Support Groups and Programs

A relapse prevention plan is individual, and it will not be the same for everyone. It is important for you to think about what you want out of recovery and what your own goals for the future are. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Creating a list of warning signs can give a person more insight into their relapse.

Perhaps high levels of stress at work lead you to fall back into substance abuse. Or maybe problems with your spouse seem unmanageable, so your tendency is to rely on alcohol to help you through it. Identifying your warning signs early on gives relapse prevention plan you time to get help before things spiral out of control. Why did you use drugs or drink alcohol before you were in drug rehab? Recognizing your usage patterns can help you pinpoint the things that cause you to resort to substance abuse.

Pinnacle Peak Recovery

For that reason, it is a big component of your long-term recovery plans. It may even motivate you to achieve your best outcome through forming new relationships and engaging in new activities. You can brainstorm about the potential signs of a relapse as a https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-vs-drugs-comparison-of-addictions/ way of developing a plan. Common signs of relapse include an inexplicable change in behavior, thoughts, or feelings that lean more towards drug use. Once you know what triggers a relapse, you can develop coping strategies to deal with those situations.

Also, having a physical copy can really ease your mind and give you an easy guide to refer to when the time comes and you may not be in the right mental space. “There should always be a plan and skills in place,'' Gottlich said. Once you’ve made your relapse prevention plan, share it with friends, family, and the people you live with, so they can provide support, but also remove triggers from the home. Share it with the people you spend a lot of the time with, including those who have used substances with you in the past, so they can be aware.

The Dangers of Relapse

This can be in the form of therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Your friends and family can be a great source of support during recovery. Make sure to stay in touch with them and lean on them when you need to. At New Directions for Women, we ensure group counseling is available to provide strong support networks. We make sure that no woman feels isolated during any part of her recovery process.

If you have experienced a relapse in the past, it’s also very important to identify potential patterns and causes that lead to your substance abuse. Relapse prevention plans can be a valuable tool in your recovery journey. If you’re struggling with addiction, talk to your doctor or mental health professional about creating a relapse prevention plan that’s right. The growth stage is about developing skills that individuals may have never learned and that predisposed them to addiction [1,2]. The repair stage of recovery was about catching up, and the growth stage is about moving forward.