Planning is an important part of relapse prevention

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For the past couple of months I have been reviewing the relapse dynamic. The relapse process is very complex. In fact, a whole course is dedicated to this in specialization training. It is very important to know that the relapse process can be stopped. Relapse stems from ignorance: ignorance of past history, ignorance of the warning signs and ignorance of the techniques needed for intervening should the warning signs develop.

It is essential for the person in recovery to develop a relapse prevention plan. Proper action on the part of the person in recovery and the key people in his/her life can prevent or interrupt the relapse dynamic before the consequences become tragic. If the recovering person can recognize and understand his/her relapse process, then he/she can utilize intervention skills before using.

Relapse prevention planning includes nine steps.

Stabilization. The first step to any relapse prevention planning is to assure that the patient's family has been stabilized from the most recent relapse. A patient is stabilized when he/she is in sufficient control of their physical, psychological, behavioral and social processes that they feel sure that they will not immediately use. The patient must recognize their need for help.

Assessment. After stabilization, the next step is to make a thorough assessment of the following: patient's presenting problems, their relapse dynamic (i.e. the exact sequence of events leading to the previous relapse), relapse history, level of treatment completion, factors complicating recovery, and patient's personality style.

Patient education. The patient must understand the relapse process in order to recognize it and be able to interrupt it. Patient education is the process of teaching the necessary information in order for him/her to understand their personal history and life situation.

Warning sign identification. Each person has a unique set of personal warning signs of relapse. These are signals that he/she gives to themselves that tell them that they are in risk of using. A list of identifying personal relapse warning signs is the most critical and difficult phase of relapse prevention planning.

Review of recovery program. Through the development of the list of personal relapse signs, the recovering person should also search for positive indicators of recovery. This occurs through review of the recovery program or inventory of positive progress in recovery.

Inventory training. Every successful recovery program has a personal daily inventory. The user must learn to challenge him/herself on a day-to-day basis. The daily inventory needs to revolve around positive recovery indicators, negative aspects of recovery and personal responses and attitudes toward recovery and the need for treatment.

Interruption of the relapse dynamic. It is not enough for the patient to recognize the presence of the relapse warning sign, the patient must take action to remove the warning sign from his/her life.

Involvement of significant others. A person cannot recover from addiction in isolation. Total recovery involves the help and support of a variety of people. Relapse prevention is only possible if other people are involved.

Follow-up and reinforcement. Relapse prevention planning is not a substitute for treatment. Relapse prevention planning is a specialized procedure that is a first step in treatment for the patient who has difficulty in maintaining long periods of sobriety.

In conclusion, relapse prevention planning's primary goal is to keep the patient away from the use of alcohol and drugs long enough to allow a program of effective treatment to be implemented.

Until next month . . .