Relapse Prevention Plan Worksheet
GinaMarie Guarino, LMHC
Clients in addiction recovery face different obstacles that are challenging to overcome. Recovery is a long process that requires patience and commitment to sobriety. Clients must be equipped to overcome unexpected challenges that can compromise their recovery.
A relapse prevention plan is important for recovery. Clients must prepare for triggers, cravings, and obstacles they will face in the real world. A relapse prevention plan can help clients in recovery feel prepared and equipped to handle triggers healthily.
About This Worksheet
A relapse prevention plan is an important part of treatment for addiction and related issues. Identifying triggers and high-risk situations can help the client and therapist build coping skills that meet the client's unique needs.
The Relapse Prevention Plan worksheet helps a client develop a plan to prevent relapse in real-life situations. It outlines the important reminders for maintaining sobriety and good health when the client faces a trigger or high-risk situation.
This worksheet is great for adolescents and adults who are participating in therapy for substance use and addiction recovery. It can be used in individual and group sessions.
Instructions
The Relapse Prevention Plan worksheet is a template for relapse prevention planning. It provides space for the therapist and client to work together to establish an action plan for when the client feels triggered.
The client and therapist complete this worksheet together. Begin by reviewing the introduction and directions. Then, help the client formulate their action plan by helping them fill in the categories for relapse prevention.
Discuss how prepared the client feels after filling in the worksheet and developing their relapse prevention plan. You may ask them prompting questions, like:
- What are your biggest concerns for avoiding relapse?
- What strengths and protective factors do you have that will help you feel confident when faced with a trigger?
When the relapse prevention plan is complete, instruct the client to keep the worksheet with them to reference when needed between sessions. You may suggest they keep the plan in their purse or wallet so they can use it for quick reference.
References
Hendershot, C. S., Witkiewitz, K., George, W. H., & Marlatt, G. A. (2011). Relapse prevention for addictive behaviors. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 6, Article 17.
