Relapse Prevention: Strategies to Avoid Triggers

When the urge to use hits, remind yourself why you started down the path to recovery in the first place. Think about how out of control or sick you felt when you were using. Remember the embarrassing things you may have done or the people you may have hurt.

Recognizing and Responding to Early Warning Signs

Even when a person wants to stop, he or she might not be able to because of psychological and physical dependence. Plus, something or someone might trigger them to start drinking or doing drugs when he or can you smoke magic mushrooms she thought they were totally fine. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says newer treatments are designed to help with relapse prevention.[1] Some people using these therapies don’t return to drugs.

How can family members help their loved ones stick to their relapse prevention plan?

Then keep moving forward, stay positive, ask for support to stay on track, and be kind to yourself. However, if you’re serious about staying sober, it can provide structure and guidance, empowering you to manage your recovery actively. A common acronym heard in the recovery world is HALT — hungry, angry, lonely, and tired.

Common Causes of Relapse and How to Avoid

Substance abuse and mental health expert Terry Gorski has a nine-step relapse prevention plan that can help you recognize and manage relapse warning signs. Alan Marlatt, PhD, developed an approach that uses mental, behavioral, and lifestyle choices to prevent relapse. A relapse prevention plan is typically a written document of how to positively respond and cope to situations where a person might give in to the temptation of drugs and alcohol.

1. Friends or acquaintances who continue to use drugs can exert pressure, whether intentional or not, on the recovering individual.
2. Relapse prevention plans are tailored specifically to each person depending on their circumstances.
3. Some common challenges in creating a relapse prevention plan include identifying triggers, finding healthy coping strategies, dealing with relapses, and addressing underlying mental health issues.

Developing an Effective Action Plan requires valuable insights that go beyond the basic steps of planning. A successful plan must focus on results-oriented actions with clear objectives and measurable outcomes while taking into account potential granada house review challenges that may arise along the way. If you are experiencing a medical emergency and need immediate care, call 911. A relapse may look different for each person, depending on how much they use and the circumstances surrounding the relapse.

Managing Your Substance Use Disorder (Third Edition): Workbook

Instead of waiting until it’s too late, recognizing the early warning signs can lead to timely intervention that can prevent a relapse altogether. This process involves identifying the positive qualities and skills that members of the family possess, such as good communication skills, empathy, or problem-solving abilities. By leveraging these strengths, families can create a supportive environment that promotes healthy coping strategies and reduces triggers for relapse. Recognizing these warning signs early on can help prevent full-blown relapse and encourage individuals to seek help before it’s too late.

As outsiders, they may help you identify relapse triggers you’ve overlooked. They may also be eager to be contact points as you craft your trigger responses. Research suggests that families learn a lot about SUD as they help people they love. These are examples of strategies you might use in your personalized relapse prevention plan. Customize your approach and find something that works well for you.

In late stage recovery, individuals are subject to special risks of relapse that are not often seen in the early stages. Clinical experience has shown that the following are some of the causes of relapse in the growth stage of recovery. The negative thinking that underlies addictive thinking is usually all-or-nothing thinking, disqualifying the positives, catastrophizing, and negatively self-labeling [9].

Fourth, most relapses can be explained in terms of a few basic rules [4]. Educating clients in these few rules can help them focus on what is important. Relapse is a common part of the recovery process for many drug addicts. Understanding the psychological, social, and biological factors that contribute to relapse can help in developing effective prevention strategies.

While each relapse prevention plan is unique, there are several different models that help provide a template. Examples are the Marlatt and Gordon model and the Gorski-CENAPS Model for Recovery and Relapse Prevention. Remember, a relapse isn’t a sign of failure but a common part of the journey to recovery. With the right tools and support, you can overcome relapses and continue on your path to a healthier and more fulfilling life. Proper self-care can ensure you’re happy and healthy, which makes dealing with unavoidable triggers much easier.

Identifying and utilizing family strengths is a crucial aspect of the family-centered approach to relapse prevention. I, _______________________, commit to using this relapse prevention plan to support my recovery journey. I understand that recovery is a process, not a destination, and I am committed to doing the work necessary to maintain my sobriety. Stress can be internal or external and may include work-related issues or conflicts in personal relationships. Negative emotions such as anger, sadness, or fear can lead to relapse if not managed properly.

Start by listing potential triggers, such as specific places, people, or emotions that have led you to drink or use in the past. This helps you anticipate high-risk situations and develop effective coping strategies if you have no choice but to be in those situations. The relapse prevention model promotes lifestyle changes, encouraging a holistic approach to recovery.

Unfortunately, many people with drug or alcohol addiction are in denial that they have a problem in the first place. It usually takes the concern and efforts of family and friends to encourage people to go to rehab. Your therapist, mental health professional, or SUD counselor will likely also have relapse prevention resources they can share with you. Generally, these resources are available as part of a comprehensive treatment program for SUD. At ASIC Recovery, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is dedicated to helping you develop healthier coping skills and build a supportive recovery network so that you can achieve long-term sobriety.

In the early stages of substance abuse, using is mostly a positive experience for those who are emotionally and genetically predisposed. Later, when using turns into a negative experience, they often continue to expect it to be positive. It is common to hear addicts talk about chasing the early highs they cocaine withdrawal had. On the other hand, individuals expect that not using drugs or alcohol will lead to the emotional pain or boredom that they tried to escape. Therefore, on the one hand, individuals expect that using will continue to be fun, and, on the other hand, they expect that not using will be uncomfortable.

In many cases, relapse is not necessarily a failure in treatment but rather an indication that further support or adjustments are necessary. Understanding this perspective allows individuals to see their setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than debilitating defeats. It can bring on feelings of shame, frustration, and often cause someone to feel as if they are incapable of changing their behavior or achieving their goals.

They think it is almost embarrassing to talk about the basics of recovery. They are embarrassed to mention that they still have occasional cravings or that they are no longer sure if they had an addiction. Support the creation of new tools for the entire mental health community. Get professional help, and care for yourself during your recovery. The more committed you are to the process, the more likely you’ll be to succeed.

Helping clients feel comfortable with being uncomfortable can reduce their need to escape into addiction. A relapse prevention plan is used to help keep a person from using a substance after they have decided to quit. It is one of many tools used by individuals recovering from a substance use disorder.