Relapse Prevention Activities, Techniques That Work

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No matter what the addiction – drugs, alcohol or anything else – relapse is a very real threat and relapse prevention is something that should be planned for and worked toward for all addicts.

Once an initial treatment period has ended, some of the hardest work of the recovery process begins. The changes required to stick to a recovery-centered life will often be based on a relapse prevention plan.

Some of these relapse prevention activities include:

Distraction: Think about something else. Call someone. Go for a walk. Go to a meeting. Acknowledge the urge without giving in to it.

Waiting. Sometimes, waiting 20 or 30 minutes before taking any potentially negative actions can make all of the difference in the world. Stay busy, distract yourself and allow cravings to pass – they will and they do.

Recognizing. Knowing beforehand what the triggers can be will go a long way toward helping the addict prepare beforehand for such urges, cravings and situations.

Network. Having a network or list of trusted friends, loved ones, sponsors and others who will be there to provide support and reason in a moment of potential relapse is one of the strongest ways an addict can arm his or herself against relapse.

Relax. Breathing exercises and other relapse prevention techniques go a long way in strongly fighting the natural urges most addicts experience on the road to recovery.

Being Realistic: Many addicts get overwhelmed when they think about being sober or abstinent forever. Forever is a long time! It is exponentially easier to think about being sober or abstinent for today. And today only. Think in easy-to-manage blocks of time as opposed to black and white “forevers” and “nevers.”

Significant lifestyle changes are usually not easy to maintain. Sticking to a new program with an eye toward relapse prevention requires support, clarity and commitment, among other things. Often, a relapse is more of a process than a single event and the process can, at times, seem stronger than the commitment. It is important to understand and remember that lapses and relapses are part of our natural resistance to change. The bigger the change, the stronger resistance.

Some warning signs of relapse and to keep in mind when putting together a relapse prevention plan include:

• Hanging around with old friends, in old places and old situations that in the past led or contributed to addictive behaviors and activities
• Isolating oneself from the new or positive influences
• Stopping medication without an “OK” from a doctor or medical professional
• Skipping medical appointments, meetings, therapy and other recover-centric activities
• Thinking that support or a plan is no longer needed
• Ignoring these and other signs and triggers

Arming ourselves for relapse and having a good relapse prevention plan in place takes work on the addict’s part. Preventing relapse requires a new approach that does work…especially when the old one of addiction didn’t serve or work well in the first place.

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