Relapse Prevention
Because relapse is a natural part of the
addiction recovery process,
relapse prevention plans need to be part of the overall treatment
program. Planning for relapse makes good sense when over half
of those who are in treatment for addiction will relapse before
the end of the first year in recovery.
|
|
Relapse prevention strategies are useful so that the addict does
not feel like they have failed in treatment. By planning ahead for
relapse the individual knows that they are likely to occur and that
they don't mean failure or even setback, but are a natural part
of the recovery process.
Most relapse prevention plans call attention to possible triggers
that can send a substance abuser back to their drugs of choice.
In fact, the addict is encouraged to come up with a list of his
or her own potential triggers that either need to be avoided or
dealt with once the trigger has happened.
Triggers may be such things as going into a bar or hanging out
with friends who do drugs. Triggers can also be fairly innocuous
events like hearing a particular song on the radio or seeing a photo
in a picture album that triggers an emotional response. The obvious
triggers in relapse prevention can be avoided, most of the time,
with some ease. The not so obvious triggers must be dealt with as
they occur as they can seem to come "out of the blue".
Once an addict has been triggered, they may not realize it
at first. The signs of a trigger into relapse include an event,
followed by some automatic thoughts, feelings and then cravings
for the drugs of choice. Once the cravings have occurred,
then the addict may start to have "permission thoughts"
that tend to justify or rationalize that it is somehow Okay
to take a drink or use drugs.
Once the addict has convinced himself or herself that it's
Okay to use again, some action usually follows such as the
act of using the drug of choice. Relapse prevention plans
and strategies focus on derailing this sequence of events
from getting from the trigger to the drug or alcohol use.
Many times the addict is not even aware the sequence has
started until they have the intense cravings for the drugs
or alcohol. At this point, most relapse prevention focuses
on the addict already having a plan in place for actions to
take to substitute for the act of using drugs or alcohol.
Exercise, meditation, yoga, eating or drinking something with
caffeine or sugar, working in the garden or some other activity
can refocus the craving energy into something less destructive.
In addition, substituting the permission thoughts with non-permission
thoughts can also help derail the relapse progression. Thought-stopping
and taking an inventory of what is to gain and what is to
lose are also techniques used in relapse prevention. Another
strategy is to call a friend, sponsor or therapist when the
cravings or permission thoughts occur.
A therapist or drug counselor can help the addict with interpersonal
skills training and communication skills in order to lessen
the likelihood of relapse. For instance, a person may relapse
because they are having a difficult time dealing with social
pressure, interpersonal conflict or having difficulties dealing
with their own negative emotions. Some addicts also slip back
into denial and relapse
because they wish to test their own personal control they
have over the alcohol or drug use.
Addiction treatment featuring individual counseling, group
counseling and outside support such as from a 12-step group,
will help most addicts in their desires to prevent relapse.
Once the addict has relapsed, these same resources can help
the addict gain sobriety and understand how the relapse occurred
and how to prevent it from occurring again in the future.
For most people in addiction treatment, strategizing for relapse
makes sense in the overall recovery plan.
|
