Challenges fill the road to recovery, but with the right guidance and careful planning, you can achieve long-term sobriety. A Relapse Prevention Plan is a powerful recovery tool to keep in your tool belt.
Through self-discovery, self-awareness, and self-management, those in recovery can more reliably identify and mitigate the triggers that could drive them to relapse. And with this in mind, let’s break down what you should know about relapse prevention training.
What Does Relapse Prevention Training Look Like?
Relapse prevention training refers to when someone in recovery learns a series of integrated steps with which to better maintain their sobriety. It begins with an inventory of the individual’s personal relapse triggers.
Once the individual’s triggers have been cataloged, the therapist will guide the patient to a better understanding of the behavioral patterns that can lead to relapse. This is a major step toward helping the patients to face their identified triggers in a healthier way.
Understanding Common Triggers
An initial broad-spectrum review is an opportunity to assess whether the patient is affected by any of the most common relapse triggers. This includes things like work-related difficulties, relationship troubles, and more complex emotional baggage involving feelings of unresolved shame, anger, loneliness, and guilt.
It’s also worth noting that disruptions in a patient’s medication can disrupt the neurochemical balance in the brain, putting the patient at a higher risk of returning to alcohol or drugs as a means of self-medication.
Identifying Personal Triggers
The second stage is for identifying personal triggers that are unique to the patient. Because of the intimate subject matter and the need for privacy, this is most often done in one-on-one therapy sessions.
Identifying personal triggers is arguably the most important step because you can’t prepare for a trigger you don’t know is there. Learning to avoid these situations—or reduce them if they are unavoidable—is critical to the longevity of someone’s sobriety.
Recognizing Warning Signs
With a careful review of a patients’ past relapses, you can often identify what triggered them and gain a better understanding of the underlying patterns. This is integral as it’s meant to give a small amount of advanced warning so that the appropriate steps can be taken to mitigate relapse.
Developing Coping Mechanisms
Through a combination of trial and error, informed speculation, anecdotal evidence, and understanding the patient’s history, therapists assist in developing coping mechanisms. These strategies can be applied from the very first signs of an impending relapse.
Coping strategies for relapse triggers include meditation, outdoor activities like hiking, seeking support from loved ones (with consideration for their well-being), and even unconventional methods like substituting opioids with sweets. These adaptive responses encourage creativity, experimentation, and an almost holistic approach to the healing process.
Constructing an Individualized Plan
In the final step, the therapist and patient build an individualized plan together. The idea is for the patient to be able to select the right strategy at the right time to mitigate a relapse trigger. Moreover, patients are often encouraged to share their relapse prevention plans with their support systems as this allows loved ones to assist in diverting potential triggers.
What If You Relapse Anyway?
Even with the best intentions and putting immense effort into relapse prevention training, it is still possible to relapse. (The reality of this, in and of itself, could potentially generate enough stress to drive you to the point of actually relapsing.) But a relapse doesn’t signify failure.
As discouraging as it can be, a relapse will at least provide you with an opportunity for growth and learning.
Self-Compassion & Avoiding Self-Blame
It is crucial to practice self-compassion during this time. Beating yourself up or dwelling in guilt and shame will only hinder your progress. Instead, focus on understanding the factors that contributed to the relapse and use it as an opportunity to learn and adjust your relapse prevention plan.
Seek Support
Reach out to your support system, whether it’s a therapist, counselor, sponsor, or trusted friends and family members. They can offer guidance and encouragement, and with their aid, you can certainly get back on track. Although it may feel like it sometimes, you’re never alone in your journey. Seeking support is a sign of strength.
Reassess Your Relapse Prevention Plan
Take the time to review and reassess your relapse prevention plan. Identify any potential gaps or triggers that were not adequately addressed. Adjust and refine your strategies to better equip yourself against future relapses.
Learn from the Experience
Reflect on the circumstances and emotions surrounding the relapse. Identify the triggers, stressors, or situations that led to the setback. Use this knowledge to develop additional coping mechanisms or alternative strategies to handle similar challenges in the future.
Adjust Your Mindset
Adopt a growth mindset and view relapse as a learning opportunity rather than a definitive failure. Understand that setbacks are a normal part of the recovery process, and the most important thing is to persevere and continue moving forward.
Reinforce Motivation and Commitment
Take time to reconnect with your motivations for recovery. Remind yourself of the positive changes you have experienced and the reasons why sobriety is important to you. Use this renewed motivation to recommit to your recovery journey.
Learn from Others
Seek inspiration from individuals who have successfully overcome relapse and maintained long-term sobriety. Their stories can provide hope, encouragement, and practical strategies to navigate through challenging times.
But the important thing to bear in mind is that relapse does not define you, and it is possible to regain control and continue your journey toward lasting sobriety. Stay resilient, seek support, and keep moving forward.
Purposes Recovery is Your Partner in Sobriety
Purposes Recovery is a luxury medical detox in Los Angeles, giving patients the opportunity to begin their recoveries in comfort. Designed to help you work through the medical detox process, our programs consist of evidence-based techniques with which to better help you or your loved one.
For help with creating a relapse prevention plan, call our toll-free number today.