Relapse Prevention

What is Relapse Prevention?

Relapse Prevention is the practice of proactively planning for the onset of a possible relapse and preparing a response that will prevent that relapse from occurring.  

A Relapse Prevention Plan is a written document created by the client with the help of a Relapse Prevention Counselor that contains specific, concrete practices that will help the client avoid relapse.

A Relapse Prevention Plans differs from a Maintenance Plan in many key ways.  A Maintenance Plan is very important, and might include such action items as seeing a therapist, attending 12-Step meetings, and improving physical health, etc.   A Relapse Prevention Plan is what saves the client if and when the Maintenance Plan breaks down.   Without effective Relapse Prevention Planning, the best Maintenance Plan in the world simply isn’t enough.

Summit Malibu Addiction Treatment Centers are committed to providing the best possible Relapse Prevention counseling and support to our clients, as well as to those people who will be supporting the client’s recovery on an ongoing basis.

Relapse Statistics

The statistics for relapse from drug and alcohol addiction are notoriously high.  Estimates range from 40% to 60% or more, depending on the study.  

These statistics are alarming and should be viewed as a warning to treat the subject seriously, but it is important to put these statistics in correct perspective.   The relapse rates for addiction should be compared to the relapse rates of other chronic illnesses.  

For example, the relapse rate for Type I diabetes is 30% to 50%.  The relapse rate for hypertension and asthma is 50% to 70%.   Drug and alcohol addiction should be treated like any other chronic illness, with relapse being an indication of the need for renewed intervention.

Having said that, these statistics also indicate that relapse does not occur in a large number of cases.  At Summit Malibu we believe that these successful cases are due in large part to effective Relapse Prevention Planning.

Relapse Prevention Planning

Clients at Summit Malibu receive several hours of Relapse Prevention Planning each week.   Guided by a Relapse Prevention Counselor, they must complete their own Relapse Prevention Workbook before being discharged.  

The workbook contains sections listing the client’s situational triggers, belief-system triggers, and emotional triggers, and includes specific plans for behavioral coping, mental and emotional coping, and information for people supporting their recovery about signs and symptoms of a relapse and what they can do to help.   By the time they leave Summit their workbook contains a concrete, personalized plan for managing the inevitable stresses that will occur during a reintegration into normal life.  

The Summit Relapse Prevention Counselor also provides post-discharge support by following up with each client on a weekly basis, referring to the client’s workbook and adjusting and refining the plan as needed.  The Relapse Prevention Counselor is also available to consult with other professionals that are supporting the client.

The Summit Malibu Relapse Prevention Program

Summit Malibu’s Relapse Prevention Program was created by Tim Worden, Ph.D., a practicing Clinical Neuropsychologist with over 20 years experience in addiction rehabilitation.   Drawing on the findings of leaders in the addiction recovery field including Marlatt, Gorsky, Daley, Hazelden, and Matrix Institute, Dr. Worden refined these methods through clinical practice and arrived at what he believes to be the best Relapse Prevention Methodology in the industry.

“I believe that relapse prevention is the key to a successful return to normal life for the recovering alcoholic and addict,” says Dr. Warden.  “I know from years of experience that recovering addicts and alcoholics will have a much better chance of staying sober if the people supporting them understand what relapse prevention is, and if they are familiar with the client’s own relapse prevention plan.”

The Summit Relapse Prevention Program is available at no cost to qualifying professionals...

Because Relapse Prevention is so essential to the success of our clients, Summit Malibu is offering to provide a copy of our Relapse Prevention Program and Workbook to any professional who is providing support to Summit clients.   In addition, in an effort to help support the larger recovery community, Summit Malibu will provide a copy of our Relapse Prevention Program and Workbook to any qualified recovery professional who is interested.

If you wish to receive a copy of the Summit Malibu Relapse Prevention Program and Workbook you can do so by contacting Summit by email at info@summitmalibu.com or by calling 888-777-9672.  Summit will provide electronic documents including a detailed explanation of the Summit Relapse Prevention Methodology, instructions on completing the Workbook, and the Relapse Prevention Workbook itself.