Relapse Prevention
May 03, 2022
Some people feel that once they have entered into recovery the road is clear. They will never have the impulses to use their substance of choice, or act on impulse, and coping in positive healthy ways will become the natural choice.
This in itself is a red light.
Relapse prevention is planning. If for example you stop eating junk food and fast food, and have the goal of eating healthy, making healthier dietary choices and becoming aware of what your eating and how your feeling, you plan. You plan out for those long stretches where it may seem easier to go through the drive through if you don't have an apple or healthy snack on hand to grab. You plan for days you may be a little more tired, or need a little more energy from snacks and food. You make sure you have a full water bottle. These are not tricks or weighted down choices, they are choices to change your daily intake of food.
Relapse prevention in mental health, addictions and impulse control is similar. You need to maintain healthy lifestyle choices in order to maintain recovery. Knowing what high risk situations may occur with your day to day activities is important to prevent a slip into those maladaptive patterns of coping.
Surprise events may always happen that threaten our emotional regulation and the balance we have achieved but you are much further ahead with pre-planning for most events than you will be with over-confidence threatening to blindside you.
SUBSCRIBE FORĀ MORE
By joining you will get access to new posts and events.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
