Before I share with you some different ways I use to protect myself from a potential relapse, let’s talk about why relapse prevention is extremely critical to the success of someone with a substance use disorder or other related illnesses.

Picture yourself on a motorcycle, maybe even a badass Harley-Davidson (a gal can dream of the things she’s capable of doing, right?) Now, imagine that you got into a terrible accident, whether or not it was your fault is not important, but, let’s just say that you didn’t have a helmet on. That’s what it would be like if you did not have a relapse prevention plan. Now, imagine scenario two where you did have a helmet on. You would have protected your head from severe and irreversible trauma or even death. Think of it as a layer of protection, a cushion that gives you enough time to find a replacement. In the addiction recovery world, this would be like being given the chance to pick up the pieces back up together before any irreversible damage is done.

I understood myself only after I destroyed myself. And only in the process of fixing myself, did I know who I really was

Main Causes of Relapse

• Specific triggers (Smells, people, memories, movies, music, places, things etc.,)
• Stress (Work, family, financial, unmet or imagine expectations)
• Painful symptoms of withdrawl
• Mental illness
• Trauma
• Isolation
• Anger
• Boredom

What Are Some Relapse Prevention Activities To Start On?

1. Start A Blog.

2. Learn To Crochet.

3. Start A Journal or Book.

4. Explore Your Local Hiking Trails.

5. Learn to Play an Instrument.

6. Record Your Addiction Recovery Journey On Youtube.

7. Learn to Paddle-board or Fishing.

8. Take a Fun Painting Class.

9. Make New Friends.

10. Make a Vision Board.

11. Get On a Meditation or Affirmation Schedule.

12. Learn A New Language.

13.  Bonus: Learn A New Recipe Or Two.