Relapse prevention is a critical component of long-term recovery from addiction. This worksheet will help you identify potential triggers, develop effective coping strategies, and create a comprehensive plan to maintain your recovery even during challenging times.
Remember that recovery is a journey, and setbacks can be part of the process. Having a solid relapse prevention plan increases your chances of long-term success.
Part 1: Understanding the Relapse Process
Relapse is often a gradual process that begins well before actual substance use or return to addictive behavior. Understanding this process can help you recognize warning signs early and take action.
The Three Stages of Relapse
- Emotional Relapse: Not thinking about using, but emotions and behaviors setting you up for possible relapse (e.g., bottling up emotions, isolating, poor self-care)
- Mental Relapse: Internal struggle between wanting to use and wanting to maintain recovery (e.g., cravings, thinking about people/places associated with use, glamorizing past use)
- Physical Relapse: Actually using or engaging in the addictive behavior
Part 2: Identifying High-Risk Situations
Check all situations that might put your recovery at risk:
External Triggers
Internal Triggers
Part 3: Developing Coping Strategies
For each high-risk situation you identified, develop specific coping strategies:
High-Risk Situation 1:
Avoidance Strategies
How can you avoid this situation entirely?
Escape Strategies
If you can't avoid it, how can you exit the situation if needed?
Coping Strategies
What specific skills or techniques will you use to manage this situation?
Support Resources
Who can you contact for support in this situation?
High-Risk Situation 2:
Avoidance Strategies
How can you avoid this situation entirely?
Escape Strategies
If you can't avoid it, how can you exit the situation if needed?
Coping Strategies
What specific skills or techniques will you use to manage this situation?
Support Resources
Who can you contact for support in this situation?
High-Risk Situation 3:
Avoidance Strategies
How can you avoid this situation entirely?
Escape Strategies
If you can't avoid it, how can you exit the situation if needed?
Coping Strategies
What specific skills or techniques will you use to manage this situation?
Support Resources
Who can you contact for support in this situation?
Part 4: Creating a Relapse Prevention Toolkit
Check the strategies you will include in your personal relapse prevention toolkit:
Immediate Craving Management
Cognitive Strategies
Lifestyle Strategies
Social Support Strategies
Part 5: Emergency Response Plan
If you experience strong cravings or feel at immediate risk of relapse:
| Name | Relationship | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Resource | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Therapist/Counselor | |
| Treatment Center | |
| Support Group | |
| Crisis Hotline |
Part 6: If Relapse Occurs
Remember that relapse doesn't mean failure. If it happens:
Part 7: My Commitment
I am committed to my recovery and will use this relapse prevention plan as a tool to support my journey. I understand that recovery is a process that requires ongoing attention and care.
I will review and update this plan regularly, especially after any challenging situations or close calls.
Signature: __________________________ Date: ______________