Your Personal Relapse Prevention Plan

Relapse Prevention Plan

THIS IS A LIVING DOCUMENT.

This plan is written by me, for me. Treatment may be a phase. Recovery is lifelong. Recovery is a process of change through which I improve my health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach my full potential.

This document grows with me.

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� 1. WHAT RECOVERY MEANS TO ME & WHY IT MATTERS

(My anchors when motivation drops)

Recovery is not just the absence of substances. Recovery means:

When I am doing well in recovery, my life looks like:

The main reasons my recovery matters to me are: (Internal motivations – who I want to become, how I want to feel, what I value)

External motivations (family, career, stability, legal, health, etc.):

If I return to using, the things I risk losing are:

My strongest WHY (the reason that will overcome any “how”):

Relapse Prevention Plan

⚠ 2. MY EARLY WARNING SIGNS

(How I know risk is building)

Thoughts that show up for me: (“I don’t care.” “I can handle it.” “Just once won’t hurt.”)

Behaviors I notice when I am slipping: (isolating, missing groups, not sleeping, dishonesty, avoiding support)

On a scale of 1–10, my cravings usually begin around:

What does a level 3 feel like?

What does the level 7 feel like?

What does a level 10 feel like?

Awareness creates interruption.

Relapse Prevention Plan

3. HIGH-RISK SITUATIONS

(Four Prompt Areas)

I am more at risk when I feel:

I am more at risk when I am around these people:

I am more at risk when I am in these places/situations:

Times or patterns that are especially hard for me (holidays, nights, payday, anniversaries, etc.):

Relapse Prevention Plan

4. MY COPING TOOLBOX

(At least 5 strategies – least intense to most intense)

When warning signs or urges begin, I will use these coping strategies in order:

(Examples: breathing, grounding, walking, journaling, prayer, music, calling someone, attending a meeting.)

Which coping skill works fastest for me?

Which coping skill requires support?

Relapse Prevention Plan

5. MY SUPPORT LAYERS

(List up to 5 – least intense to most intense. Include relationship & why.)

1. Name

Relationship

Why I would call them first

2. Name

Relationship

Why

3. Name

Relationship

Why

4. Name

Relationship

Why

5. Name

Relationship

Why

If I only have one name today, that is okay. A goal may be to build more support over time.

Relapse Prevention Plan

6. URGE INTENSITY PLAN (Green / Yellow / Red Zones)

GREEN ZONE (Mild thoughts, low cravings)

I will:

YELLOW ZONE (Cravings increasing, emotional shift)

I will immediately:

RED ZONE (Close to using / loss of control)

I will immediately:

Seek emergency support if needed (911, crisis line, ER)

Escalation requires action — not isolation.

Relapse Prevention Plan

7. IF I EXPERIENCE A LAPSE

A lapse is a moment — not my identity.

I will remember the Abstinence Violation Effect (AVE).

If I use:

• I will tell staff or a support immediately.

• I will ask for help instead of hiding.

• I will re-engage with my recovery plan.

Guilt focuses on behavior.

Shame attacks identity.

I am not my behavior.

One compassionate truth about myself:

Relapse Prevention Plan

8. BUILDING VALUE & IDENTITY

What are positive truths about who I am?

What values matter most to me?

What action keeps me aligned with those values?

The broader my foundation, the greater my freedom.

Relapse Prevention Plan

9. MY COMMITMENT

I will be kind to myself.

I will practice forgiveness.

I will interrupt escalation early.

I will remember my WHY.

One affirmation I commit to repeating:

One action that protects my recovery consistently:

ESCAPE Framework (When I Feel Stuck)

E – Evaluate my options

S – Secure support and allies

C – Consider the risks

A – Adopt & Adapt an action plan

P – Practice the plan

E – Evaluate the results

I agree to review and update this plan at least every other week. I understand recovery evolves, and so will this document.

Client Name:

Date Completed / Updated: