This technique involves running “a mental videotape” of the entire relapse process. It involves going through the process from start to finish and noting all the changes that would occur if you give into the temptation. Mindfulness is a practice that involves being present in the moment and being aware of your thoughts without judgment. If you’ve relapsed before, try to identify the feelings you felt before your relapse. In this stage, you may not be actively feeding your addictive behavior. However, you’re inadvertently placing yourself at risk for a relapse. In the second stage of recovery, the main task is to repair the damage caused by addiction 2.
- Peer support from those with similar experiences can maintain motivation in recovery5.
- Developing a relapse prevention plan early in the recovery process and revising it regularly can be crucial for long-term success.
- The causes of substance dependence are rarely obvious to users themselves.
- Focus on how much better your life will be once you stop using drugs or alcohol for good.
Integrating Mindfulness into Daily Life
If you are currently engaging in therapeutic support, utilizing a sponsor, or attending meetings, you could discuss your plan in these settings. A therapist may be able to advise on specialist interventions and techniques that you can include. Sometimes, specific people may act as triggers, such as friends that you used to drink or use drugs with. It may be a necessary part of your prevention plan and recovery process to identify and remove these people from your social circle, to avoid facing temptations.
Use Support Groups
Relapse prevention plans will differ depending on the individual, their triggers and experiences, and the severity of their relapse prevention substance use. However, an effective plan will focus on core elements that help with managing abstinence and sobriety and coping with any challenges. This article highlights the key components of an effective relapse prevention plan and some tips and steps to help you create a plan that addresses your requirements and triggers.
Set Clear Goals
If you feel the need for additional guidance, consider visiting a recovery facility that offers a comprehensive relapse prevention program. Arrowwood Addiction Treatment Center’s virtual tour provides insight into their supportive, structured setting where you can explore additional resources for preventing relapse. Understanding what triggers cravings or urges to use substances is potentially one of the most important steps in a prevention plan. Identifying triggers can help you effectively avoid them or develop coping strategies around the most likely triggers.
- Tonic processes also include cognitive factors that show relative stability over time, such as drug-related outcome expectancies, global self-efficacy, and personal beliefs about abstinence or relapse.
- This could involve going to a bar or liquor store, contacting your dealer, or retrieving your old stash.
- You can begin each day with a consistent morning routine that includes healthy, pro-recovery activities such as meditation, reading, exercising, or journaling.
- Some patients early in recovery may set up unreasonable expectations in that they believe they will never again think about using or having a relapse.
Additionally, seeking professional help or attending support groups can provide additional tools and resources for managing stress. Creating and implementing a relapse prevention plan is one of the best ways individuals can increase their chances of success and feel more in control of their recovery journey. Many physical relapses occur during times when the individual believes their use will go undetected. In working with patients in early recovery, providers need to ensure they have the skills necessary to recognize these high-risk situations and avoid using. Providers help patients in this stage to recognize and avoid situations that increase the risk of physical relapse. Participants in this stage what is Oxford House may be at a significantly increased risk of a physical relapse during special times, such as a social event, holiday, or a trip when they may use mental bargaining to justify their use.
