Relapse Prevention Plans

A third area of concern involves interpersonal conflict, usually with a partner, children, or other family members. Relationship stress makes overcoming a drug problem much more difficult, but not impossible. Arguments and other forms of conflict do place the client at risk, however, if she or he has not prepared for how to respond effectively to such situations ahead of time. Other types of relationships, such as with employers or colleagues, also can generate stress that can begin a chain of risky events for the client, so these types of social relationships should not be ignored in a relapse prevention plan. 

Your relapse prevention plan will help remind you of what to do to successfully cope with high-risk situations when you are confronted with them. If you are facing a tough situation in which you are tempted to use drugs, your plan will remind you to seek help. Contact your counselor or therapist before you use drugs, if possible. Even if you do have a lapse, remember that it is not the end of the world, but rather a chance to improve your recovery plan. Remember to call your counselor or therapist as soon as you can after a lapse. Lapses are not unusual and your counselor or therapist can help you return to recovery. 

The relapse prevention plan was largely completed by Theresa as homework between Sessions 8 and 9, and included a summary of the problem, a summary of therapy, and a plan for the future, including how to deal with a setback if and when it occurred. Follow-up was arranged for six months time. 

Session 20 (follow up and review) was held three months later, to check progress and discuss difficulties. Patrick stated that although the content of his job had not changed significantly, he was much more satisfied with work. He felt more in control and used more humour to deal with work stress. For example, he had put a cartoon image of a duck hitting a computer with a hammer onto his work computer as a screen saver. He had also created a credit card-sized copy of the relapse prevention plan to keep in his wallet ( coping card ). 

Encourage the patient to tell their CC or doctor before stopping medication. They can organise a relapse prevention plan, then decrease the medication gradually and safely... 

What if I get unwell again Relapse prevention plan - CC will develop this with her Identify early relapse signs Clear plan, e.g. numbers to call, medication options Re-referral is always available... 

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... 

Review, relapse prevention and self-help plan (S essions 29 and 30)... 

In the final session of therapy a relapse prevention exercise was introduced (see Chapter 3). This aimed to ensure that the gains made in therapy by Trevor were consolidated. He was asked to consider what gains he felt had been made in therapy, what had changed as a result of therapy, what he had learned in therapy and how he would continue to practise it in his everyday life. A self-help plan was devised in which he was asked to consider how he might deal with set-backs, what the likely high-risk situations for relapse might be and what contingency plans he would have in place to deal with such a lapse. At the final therapy session the pre and post measures were compared to identify the success of the outcome of the interventions employed. 

Carers How will I cope if mum gets ill again Adapt relapse prevention/crisis plan to carer Offer carer s assessment Signpost to carers support organisations... 

Include clear relapse prevention/crisis plans... 

With Jean, reflect on what helped. Include this in her relapse prevention / crisis plan. If HTT are handing back her care, ensure a formal handover and document and medication changes. 

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