subject: The important techniques of Relapse Prevention [print this page] The major aim of relapse prevention is to find the problem associate with relapse and then create techniques for preventing or managing its occurrence. On the basis of cognitive-behavioral framework, relapse prevention seeks to recognize high-risk situations in which an addicted individual is susceptible to relapse; hence, the strategies of cognitive and behavioral therapists are to prevent future relapses in similar situations. Relapse prevention can be explained as a tertiary prevention tactic with two explicit objectives: - Preventing an initial lapse and maintaining abstinence or harm reduction treatment - Providing lapse management if a lapse occurs and prevent further relapse Hence, the ultimate goal is to provide the possible techniques and medicines to prevent further relapse irrespective of the situation or impending risk factors. Furthermore, the relapse prevention treatment begins with the assessment of the potential interpersonal, environmental, and physiological risks for relapse and the factors or situations that may precipitate a relapse. The treatment includes, teaching effectual coping strategies, enhancing self-efficacy, and encouraging mastery over successful outcomes. Therapists also solve the misperceptions and maladaptive thoughts of the patients. Though, it is vital that patients are taught to refresh their negative thoughts about lapses; not to interpret it as failure or an indication of lapse of will-power. Once, the patients have been given the proper treatments and education then the therapists and respective physicians emphasize on the implementation of global lifestyle and self-management strategies. The motto to facilitate these strategies is to maintain and balanced the mental stability of the patients. More often, patients experience several daily stresses; therefore, therapists should first find out those stresses of the patients and then they reduce the stresses by providing the pleasurable and recreational activities. In these processes, therapists also provide relaxation training, stress management, and time management exercise. Moreover, for the treatment of any drug or alcohol addicted patient, the relapse prevention is necessary. Hence, by identifying symptoms that put the patients at risk for relapse and then using the various recovery techniques on an ongoing basis, the therapists try to prevent a relapse even before it occurs.
