Relapse Prevention Among Diverse Populations

Relapse prevention within ethnic-minority communities can look somewhat different than it does in a typical treatment center. Relapse prevention methods with ethnic-minority clients often include involvement in traditional cultural activities as part of the therapy. One important theme may be the restoration of the client into her or his rightful place within the family and the community. Another potentially important cultural issue to address with many ethnic-minority clients will be difficulties overcoming shame. Fligh-risk situations may vary across cultures, and a therapist or counselor should know the community well enough to understand cultural nuances related to risky relapse situations. 

Relapse prevention for clients with psychiatric conditions must include treatment of the comorbid conditions in order to be effective. This generally means developing a collaborative relationship with a psychiatrist if the treatment includes pharmacotherapy. The relapse plan must provide checks on adherence to the treatment of the comorbid condition, and if adherence is a problem, then motivation 

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