How do you develop a relapse prevention plan with clients?

1 What is a relapse prevention plan?

A relapse prevention plan is a personalized and realistic document that outlines the strategies and resources that a client can use to prevent or manage a relapse. It is important to remember that a relapse is not a failure, but rather an opportunity to identify and address the factors that contributed to it. The plan should include the client's reasons and motivations for staying sober, their strengths and achievements in recovery, as well as their high-risk situations and triggers for substance use. Additionally, it should include the client's coping skills, alternative behaviors to substance use, support network, sources of help, contingency plan, and emergency contacts in case of a relapse.

3 How to structure a relapse prevention plan session?

A relapse prevention plan session can be conducted as a single or multiple session, depending on the client's needs and readiness. During the session, it is important to review the client's progress and challenges since the last session, as well as rate their confidence and motivation to stay sober on a scale of 1 to 10. Additionally, exploring the client's reasons and benefits for staying sober and avoiding substance use, identifying their high-risk situations and triggers for substance use, brainstorming coping skills and alternative behaviors to substance use, discussing their support network and sources of help, developing a contingency plan and emergency contacts in case of a relapse, summarizing and documenting the relapse prevention plan with the client, asking them to review and sign the plan, and expressing appreciation and support for their efforts are all essential steps.

4 How to monitor and update a relapse prevention plan?

A relapse prevention plan is not a static document, but a dynamic and flexible tool that can be revised and updated as the client's circumstances and needs change. Therefore, it is important to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan regularly to ensure its efficacy. To do so, you can follow up with the client periodically to check on their progress and satisfaction with the plan, ask them to keep a record of their triggers, coping skills, and outcomes, review their record and provide feedback and praise, identify any gaps or challenges in the plan and explore possible solutions, have them rate their confidence and motivation to stay sober on a scale of 1 to 10, revise and update the plan with their input and consent, and celebrate their successes and milestones in recovery.

5 How to handle a relapse situation?

A relapse situation can be stressful and discouraging for both the client and the therapist, yet it is important to remember that a relapse is not a sign of failure, but rather an opportunity to learn and develop. When handling a relapse situation, it is essential to contact the client as soon as possible and express concern and support. Additionally, assessing the client's physical and mental health and safety is paramount. Moreover, helping the client identify and address the factors that led to the relapse, reframing it as a temporary setback rather than a permanent defeat, emphasizing their strengths in recovery, revisiting their reasons for staying sober, revising the relapse prevention plan together, and encouraging them to seek additional help or support can all be beneficial. Ultimately, expressing confidence and hope in their ability to recover from the relapse is important.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?