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Relapse Prevention Program

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 7 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 7 minutes

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

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Written By:

Dr. Saman Aftab, Ph.D.

Dr. Saman Aftab, Mental Health write at Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

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

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

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.

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