Relapse prevention is a critical component of long-term recovery from substance use disorders. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and preventing relapse, offering practical strategies and insights based on the latest research and best practices in the field. By the end of this article, you will have a deeper understanding of the stages of relapse, the importance of a strong support system, how to create a personalized relapse prevention plan, and the role of coping skills and self-care practices in maintaining sobriety.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the stages of relapse can help individuals recognize warning signs early and take preventive action.
- A strong support system, including peers, family, and professional resources, is crucial for long-term recovery.
- Personalised relapse prevention plans, tailored to individual needs and triggers, can significantly reduce the risk of relapse.
- Coping skills and self-care practices are essential tools for managing stress and maintaining emotional balance during recovery.
- Learning from relapses, rather than viewing them as failures, can provide valuable insights for preventing future occurrences.
Understanding Relapse
Relapse is not a single event but a process that involves emotional, mental, and physical stages. Understanding these stages can help individuals recognize early warning signs and take appropriate action to prevent a full-blown relapse.
What is Relapse?
Relapse, a common part of the recovery journey, refers to the recurrence of disease symptoms after a period of improvement. In substance use recovery, relapse signifies a shift away from sobriety, often triggered by lack of mindfulness or neglecting recovery practices. Cravings can arise anytime, even during active recovery, making relapse a potential part of the process. However, each relapse can serve as a valuable learning experience, contributing to long-term recovery.
Relapse and recovery are intertwined. The disease of addiction progresses alongside recovery, and cravings may persist, especially during stressful times. Relapse begins in the mind, with changes in attitudes and thought processes manifesting as behavioural shifts. This may lead to a “dry drunk syndrome” where sober individuals exhibit behaviours similar to their active addiction phase, indicating a potential return to substance use.
Relapse is preventable through recognizing and managing early warning signs. With help, the progression of addiction, a cunning and powerful disease, can be halted, preventing a return to substance use.
Stages of Relapse
Relapse may begin with emotional relapse, where individuals may not be thinking about using, but their emotions and behaviours set the stage for potential relapse. This may be followed by mental relapse, characterised by a war in the mind between using and not using. Finally, physical relapse occurs when the individual returns to substance use. Recognizing these stages early can help individuals seek help and implement strategies to prevent progression to the next stage.
Triggers and Warning Signs
Common triggers for relapse may include stressful life events and environmental cues associated with past substance use. Warning signs can include emotional instability and increased isolation. Awareness of these triggers and warning signs [1] is crucial for early intervention and prevention of relapse.Warning Signs of Relapse
- Depression/Anxiety: experiencing unreasonable or unexplained despair and fear, hopelessness, feeling overwhelmed or dwelling on problems
- Impatience: feeling that things are not happening fast enough, the need for instant gratification (I want it now)
- Argumentativeness: arguing small or unimportant issues, always needing to be right
- Self-pity: feeling sorry for self, worrying about unfairness, refusing to accept what is
- Cockiness/Arrogance: believing we have it all figured out, all in control, ego
- Dishonesty: keeping secrets, telling lies, omitting some of the truth
- Complacency: believing everything is okay, forgetting about recovery, not taking steps to make recovery our number one priority
- Exhaustion: allowing ourselves to become overly tired, poor diet and health habits, HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired)
- Unrealistic expectations: setting goals that are too high, expecting sobriety to be easy, expecting too much from self and others
- Forgetting to cultivate gratitude: being preoccupied with problems, forgetting to acknowledge what is good in life and sobriety
- Difficulty managing emotions: over-and under-reacting to events, being moody or irritable, anger, harbouring intense feelings, resentments
- Difficulty managing stress: not staying in awareness of stressors, not taking time to relax, to stop, to breathe, and to engage in stress reducing activities on a daily basis
[1] Resource: https://substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13011-021-00347-0
Neurobiology and Psychology in Relapse
Relapse is influenced by both neurobiological changes and psychological factors. Neurobiological changes during addiction and recovery can increase susceptibility to relapse, while psychological factors such as stress, negative emotions, and inadequate coping skills can trigger relapse. Understanding the interplay between neurobiology and psychology can inform effective relapse prevention strategies.
Relapse Prevention: Building a Strong Support System
A robust support system is a cornerstone of successful recovery. This can include peers, family, and professional resources, all of whom can provide emotional support, practical assistance, and accountability.
Types of Support Networks
Peer support groups can provide understanding and empathy, as they are composed of individuals who have experienced similar struggles. Family involvement may offer emotional support and motivation, while professional resources such as therapists and counsellors can provide expert guidance and therapeutic interventions.
12 Step Support Groups: Proven Efficacy in Substance Use Disorder Recovery
12 Step Support groups are structured programs that provide a supportive environment for individuals struggling with addiction. These groups follow a set of guiding principles and steps aimed at promoting personal growth, recovery, and long-term sobriety. The 12 Step approach emphasizes self-reflection, acceptance, and accountability, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences among members.
Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as AA, is the pioneer of the 12 Step Support group model. One of the key strengths of AA and other 12 Step Support groups is their proven effectiveness in addiction treatment and relapse prevention. Numerous studies attest to the positive impact of these groups on individuals’ recovery journeys. Research indicates that participation in 12 Step Support groups is associated with reduced substance use, improved mental health outcomes, and enhanced overall well-being. [2]The 12-Step approach encourages responsibility, amends-making, self-reflection, personal growth, and coping strategies. It helps individuals understand addiction’s underlying causes, manage triggers, and cravings. The widespread success of 12-Step Support groups is due to their accessibility at various locations, including community centers, churches, and online platforms. Membership is typically free, removing financial barriers to participation.
[2] Resource: https://www.cochrane.org/news/author-interview-alcoholics-anonymous-and-other-12-step-programs-alcohol-use-disorder
Benefits of Supportive Relationships
Supportive relationships can significantly enhance recovery outcomes. For instance, peers can provide understanding and empathy, family support can boost motivation and accountability, and therapeutic relationships can facilitate the development of coping skills and relapse prevention strategies.
Virtual Support Systems
In the digital age, virtual support systems such as online recovery communities, virtual therapy sessions, and mobile apps can provide accessible and flexible support options. These digital tools can offer resources such as educational materials, self-monitoring tools, and interactive features that facilitate communication and engagement with the recovery community.
Relapse Prevention Technique: Creating a Personalized Prevention Plan
A personalised relapse prevention plan is a proactive approach to managing recovery. It involves identifying individual triggers, developing coping strategies, and planning for potential high-risk situations.
Identifying Triggers
Identifying personal triggers for substance use is a crucial first step in creating a relapse prevention plan. These triggers may be internal, such as feelings of stress or anxiety, or external, such as certain people or environments associated with past substance use.Some examples of internal and external triggers are:
- Association with people we use to drink with
- Returning to familiar places where we use to get high (bars, clubs, casinos etc.)
- Doing things that involve drinking or using (parties, concerts carnival festivities, sporting events)
- Sight and smell of alcohol, marijuana, crack cocaine, meth, nicotine
- Depression and anxiety
- Feelings of shame and guilt or regret
- Experiencing loss of relationship (grief, death of loved one, friend or pet
- Experiencing extreme emotions (stress, worry, anger, fear, resentment, frustration)
Developing Coping Strategies
Once triggers have been identified, the next step is to develop coping strategies to manage these triggers. These strategies can include relaxation techniques, distraction activities, and cognitive-behavioural [3] techniques to challenge negative thought patterns.
[3] Resources: https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh23-2/151-160.pdf
Planning for High-Risk Situations
Planning for high-risk situations involves anticipating potential challenges and developing a plan of action. This can include identifying supportive resources, rehearsing responses to pressure to use substances, and establishing a plan for rapid intervention if relapse occurs.
Relapse Prevention Techniques: Coping Skills and Self-Care Practices
Coping skills and self-care practices are essential tools for managing stress and maintaining emotional balance during recovery. These can include mindfulness techniques, physical activity, healthy eating, and adequate sleep.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Mindfulness [4] and relaxation techniques can help individuals manage stress and maintain emotional balance. These techniques can include meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation.
[4] Resource: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/1839290
Physical Activity and Nutrition
Regular physical activity and a balanced diet can significantly enhance physical health and emotional well-being. Exercise can help reduce cravings and improve mood, while a nutritious diet can support overall health and energy levels.
Sleep Hygiene
Good sleep hygiene is crucial for maintaining physical health and emotional balance. This can include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a restful sleep environment, and avoiding substances that can disrupt sleep, such as caffeine and alcohol.
12 Tips to Prevent Relapse
- Pray. Use the Serenity Prayer for the strength to stay away from a drink or drug. This too will pass.
- Stop, pause. Step out of automatic mode of reactivity, observe thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, and emotions. Breathe. Don’t believe everything that you think.
- Play the tape through. Choose not to drink or use drugs despite what your mind is telling you.
- Physically move away from the situation you are in and engage in some meaningful activity.
- Pick up the telephone and call your sponsor. Talk about your urges or cravings and discuss the high-risk situation you are in.
- Go immediately to a self-help group meeting such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Co-Dependency Anonymous (CoDa), Gamblers Anonymous (GA) or Sex Addiction Anonymous (SAA).
- Speak with someone who is supportive such as a therapist, sober support, family member or friend.
- Exercise. Go for a brisk walk or run, swim, workout, or engage in aerobic activities that require physical exertion.
- Eat a meal, snack, or drink a non-alcoholic beverage. Make a smoothie or cook your favourite dish.
- Practice mindfulness. Sit quietly with awareness of the five senses. Change your perspective with positive self-talk and cognitive behaviours techniques.
- Set Goals: Define short-term and long-term objectives for motivation.
- Gratitude Practice: Regularly reflect on things you’re thankful for to maintain a positive outlook.
Learning from Relapses
Relapses can be disheartening, but they can also provide valuable learning opportunities. By analysing what led to the relapse and how it could have been prevented, individuals can gain insights that can strengthen their relapse prevention strategies.
Viewing Relapses as Learning Opportunities
Instead of viewing relapses as failures, they can be seen as opportunities to learn and grow. Each relapse can provide insights into personal triggers and vulnerabilities, which can inform adjustments to the relapse prevention plan.
Adjusting the Prevention Plan
After a relapse, it’s important to review and adjust the relapse prevention plan. This can involve identifying new triggers, developing additional coping strategies, and strengthening the support system.
Seeking Professional Help
If relapses occur frequently or are severe, it may be necessary to seek professional help. Therapists and counsellors can provide expert guidance and therapeutic interventions to enhance relapse prevention efforts.
Remember, recovery is a journey, not a destination. Each step you take towards recovery, no matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating. And with the right strategies and support, you can navigate the path to recovery with confidence and resilience.
Discover Your Path to Recovery at Crossroads
At Crossroads, we understand the complexities of addiction and offer a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to recovery. Our dedicated professionals provide personalised treatment plans that address not only the physical aspects of addiction but also the emotional, psychological, and social factors. We empower our clients with the tools and strategies they need to manage triggers, build strong support systems, and develop effective coping skills.
Recognizing that recovery is a long-term process, we offer ongoing support to help our clients navigate life after treatment. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse disorder, reach out to us at Crossroads. Let us guide you on your journey to recovery and a healthier, happier future. Don’t hesitate to take the first step today. Call us at Crossroads, and embark on your path to recovery.