Relapse Prevention Program

Written By: Dr. Saman Aftab, Mental Health Writer
Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
September 19, 2023
Modified:September 3, 2024
Reading Time: 7 minutes

Written By: Dr. Saman Aftab, Mental Health Writer
Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
September 19, 2023
Last Update:September 3, 2024
Reading Time: 7 minutes

Learn about relapse prevention programs at Rolling Hills, designed to manage triggers and sustain long-term sobriety.

Understanding Lapses & Relapses

Relapse Prevention

After withdrawal from any drug or alcohol, the main goal is to prevent it from happening again, known as Relapse Prevention. Most people seek therapies or treatments to reduce the chances of relapse after trying hard to leave the addiction. Relapse is derived from the term “Lapse,” which is less harmful than relapses. In the lapse phase, the drug or alcohol addict slips into their old habits, but it is short-term and temporary.

Conversely, relapse is a total reversion to addiction and a failure to maintain sobriety. Preventing the lapse phase can reduce the chances of complete relapse. Everyone, especially young adults, tries to overcome addiction and wants to live a healthy, drug-free life. Still, certain factors like having drug or alcohol gatherings or no one to take care of them can increase the lapse chances that lead to heavy drug usage, i.e., relapse.

Levels of Care

Families & Addiction

Identifying Common Triggers That Lead to Relapse

Triggers of Relapse

Many triggers can increase relapse possibilities.

Personal growth and development are needed to achieve some addiction recovery milestones gradually. If the addicts are distracted by the possible stimuli of getting the total reversion, they might face a complete failure.

These triggers include:

Stress (any stressful situation about family or personal).
Boredom (not engaging in activities at home or outside).
Money (not having a sufficient amount or having financial problems).
Relationship (facing issues in maintaining healthy relationships).
Anger (feeling irritable or angry).
People or places (exposure to the places and people they used to hang out with as an addict).
Smells (experiencing the smells of the substance somewhere).
Old habits (engaging in the previous bad habits).

Emotional, Mental, & Physical Phases

Stages of Relapse

It is crucial in relapse prevention to know about gradual recovery. This needs an understanding of the relapse at the early stages and knowledge about its triggers and settings. There are three stages of relapse prevention.

Emotional Phase

In this stage, the individuals do not think about retaking the drug, but they have a strong feeling bothering them about their last relapses. They isolate themselves and avoid meetings and gatherings, noticeable changes in sleeping and eating habits, and poor self-care.

Mental Phase

In this stage, they are fighting between their positive and negative thoughts. They think about using it again and not sticking to the rehab program. They may experience drug cravings, plan a relapse, and lie to themselves and others.

Physical Phase

In this stage, they start using drugs or alcohol again by taking it one time. They move from lapse (taking it once) to relapse (uncontrolled use). The emotional and mental relapse stages lead to physical deterioration and complete failure.

Did You Know Rolling Hills Recovery Center Offers Relapse Prevention Programs?

A patient navigator is ready to help. Our team of dedicated professionals are here to help 24 hours a day.

Effective Strategies for Sustaining Recovery

Relapse Prevention Techniques

Relapse prevention is a mixture that involves setting boundaries, short and long-term goals, and consistency. Many recoveries and relapse prevention facilities use these techniques to achieve sobriety and prevent the chances of uncontrolled usage of drugs or alcohol.

The following relapse prevention skills can only be used if the person is fully motivated and desires to live a healthy drug or alcohol-free life.

Practice self care

Self-care is sometimes tricky for addicts because they tend to be hard on themselves. Perhaps self-care is one of the most overlooked skills to achieve recovery. People must put themselves above all and embrace that self-care is not selfish. It is necessary to feel good about yourself before thinking good about others. Most addicts do not prioritize self-care and end up experiencing their addiction again to feel comfortable and relaxed.

Know your triggers

Knowing the triggers that can lead to relapse can help reduce the possible chances of it. These triggers can be internal, like stress, anxiety, anger, and boredom, or external, like financial issues, old gatherings, or being asked to hang out by old accomplices. Complete awareness of the triggers can minimize the chances of relapse.

Physical activities and meditation

Researchers found that physical activities like walking, aerobic exercises, yoga, etc., have been proven to relax the body and mind and prevent negative or irrational thoughts.

Mindful meditation is also a fantastic way to control your mind and cravings for drugs or alcohol. A study by NCBI found outcomes that suggest significant improvement in individuals in recovery who follow a mindfulness meditation relapse prevention program versus those who do not use mindfulness meditation.

The concept of mindfulness is to pay attention to your body and be aware of personal needs and desires. This can relax your mind and teaches you to control your cravings as well.

Support groups

Joining a 12-step recovery group like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) etc., can speed up the recovery in many ways. Talking to people with the same conditions and desiring the same outcomes in remaining sober can help prevent relapse. Peer-to-peer communication also builds trust and decreases the risk of becoming lonely and isolated.

Many sober living homes provide safe housing and supportive, organized living settings for people who completed a drug recovery program. Between such programs and mainstream society, it functions as a transitional environment. Hence aid in recovery and inhibits relapse.

Did You KNow?

Most Major Insurance Will Help Cover the Cost of Treatment

Check Your Coverage

You Could Be Covered
100% for Treatment

Find Out Why We Have a 4.9 Rating on Google

Testimonials & Stories of Hope

Your Path to Freedom Begins Today

Don't Wait Any Longer. Transform Your Life Today.

Our caring treatment navigators are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to help you or your loved one. When you call Rolling Hills Recovery Center you can trust that you will find the help you need – at no cost or obligation to choose our program. Get started right now.

Get a Callback Now

Request a Confidential 100% Confidential Callback

Full Name

Email Address:

Phone Number:

Coverage Options

Permission to Store your Form Information:

Checking this box indicates you understand and accept that the information you submit will be stored and viewed according to our Privacy Policy.

We Make Getting Help Easy

Our Simple Admissions Process

Treatment Planning

Assessment

Our clinical and medical teams review your personal history and circumstances in order to determine the best treatment plan based on your needs.

Schedule Admission Date

Intake

During intake you will be asked some more questions about your background & medical history. This allows us to fully formulate your treatment plan.

Tour the Facilities

Personal Tour

One of our caring team members will take you around the clinical facilities and introduce you to the rest of our team and current community.

Settle In

Unwind & Relax

We know that the first day of treatment can be overwhelming for anyone. We work with you to ensure you ease yourself into the treatment process.

In Conclusion

Ask for Help

Most people start recovery by trying to do it on their own. They want to prove that they control their addiction and are not as unhealthy as people think. Many groups are working on addiction recovery and striving to maintain sobriety. Joining a self-help group has significantly increased the chances of long-term recovery.

If you have thoughts of using drugs or alcohol again, maybe you are experiencing a lapse phase. Don’t ignore these signs and ask for professional help as soon as possible to prevent the physical stage of relapse.

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4553654/

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page2485.aspx

https://substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1747-597X-6-17

https://www.recoveryanswers.org/resource/relapse-prevention-rp/

Written By:

Dr. Saman Aftab, Ph.D.

About Author:

Dr. Saman is a mental health writer with over six years of experience in freelance writing, editing, and proofreading. She is a practicing healthcare professional holding a doctorate in physical therapy at DOW University of Health Sciences. Dr. Saman started content writing to blend her passion for writing and medicine with her extensive clinical experience.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

Our Location

855-559-8550

Start Your New Life Today!

Your Journey Begins Today

Treatment Designed for You

Freedom Awaits You

Freedom Awaits You

Freedom Awaits You

Contact

The Life You Deserve is Waiting for You.

Take The First Step Now

Take The First Step Now

Relapse Prevention Program

Understanding Lapses & Relapses

Relapse Prevention

Table of Contents

Levels of Care

Popular Topics

Families & Addiction

Identifying Common Triggers That Lead to Relapse

Triggers of Relapse

Emotional, Mental, & Physical Phases

Stages of Relapse

Did You Know Rolling Hills Recovery Center Offers Relapse Prevention Programs?

Effective Strategies for Sustaining Recovery

Relapse Prevention Techniques

Did You KNow?

Most Major Insurance Will Help Cover the Cost of Treatment

Check Your Coverage

You Could Be Covered 100% for Treatment

Find Out Why We Have a 4.9 Rating on Google

Testimonials & Stories of Hope

Your Path to Freedom Begins Today

Don't Wait Any Longer. Transform Your Life Today.

Get a Callback Now

Request a Confidential 100% Confidential Callback

We Make Getting Help Easy

Our Simple Admissions Process

Assessment

Intake

Personal Tour

Unwind & Relax

In Conclusion

Ask for Help

Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Stay Informed & Up-to-Date

Related Articles & Topics

Group Therapy

Individual Therapy

Family Therapy for Addiction Treatment

Psychotherapy

Hypnotherapy

Scared to Pick Up the Phone? Request A Call Back, Let Us Call You

Levels of Care

Addiction Information

Treatments

Speciality Therapies

Substances

You Could Be Covered
100% for Treatment