In addition to our expertise in addiction treatment, Challenges Addiction Treatment and Relapse Prevention Center is nationally known for our focus on and expertise with regard to relapse prevention. We have been nationally recognized as a Relapse Prevention “Center of Excellence” and our cutting-edge, sophisticated practices and integration of technology into the recovery and aftercare process sets us apart from the competition. At Challenges, we are proud to state, with confidence, that for Challenges’ clients relapse ends here.
It is our belief, and the foundational component of our treatment program, that relapse prevention must provide and incorporate new strategies for the client, in the future, to be able to effectively deal with the multitude of symptoms, disorders, addiction and behaviors that in the past have combined to wreak havoc in the client’s life.
Introduction to Relapse Prevention
We define Relapse Prevention as a strategy to train alcohol and other drug abusers to cope more effectively and to overcome the stressors or triggers in their environments related to alcoholism and drug addiction that may cause relapse to build into chemical dependency.
Drug addiction and alcoholism are diseases that, when left untreated or poorly treated, are typified by chronic relapse. The prevention of relapse is a critical part of any effective treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.
Understanding Relapse
In order to understand the fundamentals behind Relapse Prevention, it’s important to first understand relapse itself. In the medical community, a relapse is a regression after a period of partial recovery from an illness.
In addiction treatment (or drug treatment), relapse may easily be defined as returning to a specific behavior after a period of abstinence (stopping) from that particular behavior – most often drug or alcohol abuse.
A relapse does not just happen by itself. There are outside influences and contributing factors, and it’s fairly easy for trained professionals to identify evidence and warning signs that an individual might be in danger of returning to the destructive patterns of substance abuse.
There is one accepted fact about relapse: Relapse does not come on suddenly and without warning, it is a process over time.
Relapse Prevention Plan
There are specific principles that relate to successful prevention of relapse. Some of them include:
Self-regulation and Stabilization. Stabilization is an important part of the process of detox from alcohol and drug addiction. Stabilization includes many things, including recuperation from associated stress, resolution of interpersonal and situational crises that threaten sobriety and the establishment of a daily structure. Daily structure might include a variety of things – like stress management, diet, exercise and regular contact with therapists and self-help groups. Stabilization is a critical component of not only the recovery process, but of the relapse prevention process, as well. Stabilization allows an individual to self-regulate feelings, judgment, behavior and other emotions. The risk of relapse is the greatest during the period of stabilization and it’s typically in the client’s best interests that this be done in a controlled environment.
Integration and Self-Assessment. As an individual’s understanding and acceptance grows, the risk of relapse further decreases. This is the period of time when it’s important to explore the situations, events and triggers that may have led to relapse in the past.
Understanding and Relapse Education. Learning about what general factors cause relapse increases an individual’s ability to avoid relapse increases.
There are many other principals that may be incorporated into a relapse prevention plan, these are just a few of the more critical components. The most important thing for an individual suffering from addiction is understanding one simple thing: relapse is inevitable if one takes no steps to prevent it.
Preventing Relapse
Drug addiction or alcohol abuse are chronic diseases and, as with any chronic disease, there is the possibility of relapse. Alcohol or drug abuse does not just disappear because we wish it away. Addiction is influenced by social, clinical and medical factors. Drug prevention is not an exact science. Solutions to addiction are varied, and success rates vary as well. Most every form of treatment has some success, but nothing yet has demonstrated a perfect 100% score for the treatment of addiction. Relapse prevention, however, has been demonstrated to increase the overall effectiveness, and success, of any treatment.
At Challenges Addiction Treatment and Relapse Prevention Center, we factor Relapse Prevention training and tactics into every component of our treatment regime. And we’re serious when we say that Relapse Ends Here.
