Relapse Prevention
The three stage process of relapse starts in ______ and ends in ______.
What is emotional and physical relapse?
Identify and explain one of the three aspects of the Biopsychosocial model of addiction.
Example: the biological aspect refers to one's genes and how they influence one's tendency toward addictive behavior.
This term describes a pattern where a person focuses on another’s needs and problems so much that they ignore their own, often common in families with addiction.
What is codependency?
This model describes change in stages like precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.
What is the Stages of Change model?
This emotion—often about past failures or harm—can make people feel they don’t deserve recovery and is a big barrier if not addressed.
What is shame?
This strategy involves recognizing early warning signs of relapse, such as changes in thoughts, feelings, or behaviors, and taking action before urges escalate.
What is early intervention?
Give one example of a biological factor that can increase risk for a substance use disorder.
Examples: Genetics/family history, brain chemistry differences, chronic pain, early exposure to substances, neurodevelopmental factors.
In addiction‑affected families, this role tries to keep peace and take care of the addicted person, often covering up and smoothing things over. It can easily become codependent.
Who is the caretaker or enabler?
In the Stages of Change, which stage is this: “I know I have a problem and I’m thinking about change, but I haven’t committed yet”?
What is contemplation?
Name one practical barrier that can get in the way of change (not feelings—something in life circumstances).
Example: lack of resources, transportation, safe housing, access to treatment, help with childcare etc.
In relapse prevention, this type of plan outlines concrete steps a person will take when cravings or high-risk situations arise, including who to contact and what coping strategies to use.
What is a coping plan or a relapse prevention plan?
Give one example of a psychological factor from the biopsychosocial model that can increase addiction risk.
Examples: Trauma, depression/anxiety, personality traits like impulsivity, negative thinking patterns, poor coping skills.
Name two ways growing up in a family with addiction can affect children, even if they don’t develop a substance use disorder themselves.
Examples: higher risk of trauma, anxiety/depression, developmental difficulties, difficult with trust or intimacy, taking on rigid family roles, etc.
This term describes daily patterns and routines—sleep, meals, activities, meetings—that support sobriety and reduce idle high‑risk time.
What is a structured routine?
This “all‑or‑nothing” mentality sounds like: “If I can’t do it perfectly, there’s no point,” and often leads to giving up after a slip.
What is perfectionism?
Name three common causes of relapse, especially in early recovery.
Examples: poor self-care, not going to support groups or treatment, untreated mental health, high stress, overconfidence, exposure to high-risk situations.
Give one example of a social factor that can fuel substance problems according to the biopsychosocial model.
Examples: Family dysfunction, peer pressure, poverty or unstable housing, stressful work or school environment, cultural norms supporting heavy use.
This hallmark of codependency involves feeling a strong need for approval or validation from others, often linking one’s self-worth to another person’s behavior or opinion.
What is external validation?
Many recovery programs stress the importance of identifying personal values (like honesty, family, health, integrity). How can knowing your values help you in a trigger moment?
Example: by identifying your values you can then choose a behavior that aligns with them and supports your recovery, can provide direction and motivation when cravings are strong.
Name two internal barriers (thoughts/feelings) that often show up right before someone starts sliding toward relapse.
Examples: anger/resentment, self-pity, hopelessness, boredom, overconfidence, loneliness, etc.
These are stimuli—like people, places, objects, or smells—that have been repeatedly associated with substance use and can automatically trigger cravings even after long periods of abstinence.
What are drug cues?
Some models extend “biopsychosocial” to “biopsychosocial plus.” What additional dimension do they emphasize for many people’s recovery?
What is the spiritual dimension?
Codependent behaviors often look caring on the surface but actually maintain the addiction. Name two examples of codependent or enabling behaviors.
Examples: covering up consequences, enabling, lying to protect them, supporting them financially, taking over their responsibilities, repeatedly rescuing them from crises.
Stage in the Stages of Change where the main focus is preventing relapse and sticking with new behaviors over time, not just starting them.
What is maintenance?
This term describes a bias the brains of addicts are especially susceptible to, which involves overvaluing immediate relief/pleasure from using and undervalues long-term recovery benefits, making them likely to in the moment choose relief over their goals.
What is short-term reward bias?