Consider incorporating small rewards or treats into your relapse prevention plan for each milestone achieved. This can be as simple as treating yourself to a favorite activity, spending quality time with loved ones, or indulging in a special treat. Celebrating milestones not only provides positive reinforcement but also helps to create a sense of accomplishment and gratification. Your doctor or an addiction treatment center has treatments to control withdrawal symptoms. A therapist or counselor can teach you coping skills to deal with the negative thoughts or cravings that may be driving you to use again. Your family and friends can offer a friendly ear when you feel low.
- By identifying these signs, individuals can take proactive measures to avoid a full-blown relapse.
- Don’t get discouraged if a specific strategy works for a friend but isn’t helpful for you.
- According to Mental Health America (MHA), up to 60% of individuals with substance use disorders will experience at least one episode of relapse.
- A relapse prevention plan is a personal plan to help you stay sober.
- This involves a deep dive into your personal history, identifying patterns, triggers, and vulnerabilities.
Use this template to structure your plan and remain on the road to recovery.
In conclusion, developing a relapse prevention plan is a critical step in maintaining long-term recovery. To write an effective relapse prevention plan, begin by identifying personal goals in recovery and motivations for change, as these will guide your strategies. It’s crucial to pinpoint specific triggers that might lead to relapse, such as certain people, places, or stressors. Incorporate various coping tools for managing cravings and stress, relapse prevention plan along with healthy lifestyle choices to support your overall well-being.
Support Network and Resources
Clarity is an act of kindness, so be honest and straightforward in these conversations with your loved ones. You can frame the conversation around “I” statements to express your feelings and needs without blaming others. For example, say “I feel overwhelmed when we talk about drinking at parties, and I need us to focus on other topics,” instead of accusing or blaming them. If you’re looking for treatment, please browse the site to reach out to treatment centers directly. If you’re a treatment provider and have a question, please reach out and someone from our Customer Success team will be in touch with you shortly. BACtrack View allows you to do just that – you can see a calendar with all of your negative breathalyzer test results – which can help you see (and celebrate) your progress over time.
Teen & Young Adult Treatment Tracks
- Remember to regularly review and update your plan as needed, seeking professional guidance when necessary.
- Therapists and counselors are specially trained to help people safely navigate the addiction and recovery.
- Recovery centers have a fairly strict schedule for a reason – a predictable routine is comforting and creates a sense of order in life.
- This is because your plan is something you can return to consistently, counteracting feelings of instability that arise naturally in early recovery.
Stress management techniques drug addiction like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, and regular physical activity are effective tools for maintaining emotional balance. Kabat-Zinn et al. 1990 highlight that mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques significantly reduce stress and improve overall well-being. The key strategies for relapse prevention for addiction include cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness-based approaches, and coping skills training.
