The best way to deal with a relapse or slip is to have an effective relapse prevention plan in place to begin with so that it never occurs. Even with the best laid plans, relapses or ’slips’ due occur. A relapse contract or contingency plan is a good tool to deal with a crisis if it occurs.
This is simply a thought out plan of action. Taking a single drink or pill does not have to lead to disaster. In fact, the first thing you should tell yourself is that you can stop, after all haven’t you been proving that all along? Get rid of whatever it is you’re taking leave the situation or people your with and get some help. Give your self some positive credit for catching it and stopping early.
The best way to deal with a relapse or slip is to have an effective relapse prevention plan in place to begin with so that it never occurs. Even with the best laid plans, relapses or ’slips’ due occur. A relapse contract or contingency plan is a good tool to deal with a crisis if it occurs.
This is simply a thought out plan of action. Taking a single drink or pill does not have to lead to disaster. In fact, the first thing you should tell yourself is that you can stop, after all haven’t you been proving that all along? Get rid of whatever it is you’re taking leave the situation or people your with and get some help. Give your self some positive credit for catching it and stopping early.
The worst attitude you can have is that you have screwed up completely and everything is lost. That can lead to a justification to have a full blown binge or relapse and to keep on doing so. Do not tell yourself you can handle it alone, put off calling for help, feel ashamed to call for help, or refuse to call for help.
You do not have to go all the way back to the worst of it; we just need to make some adjustments in the relapse prevention plan.
There is a relapse prevention hotline at 1-800-RELAPSE
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