Addiction recovery is often a difficult process involving periods of abstinence from substance use and slips back into addictive behavior. An effective program of recovery often involves strategies aimed at building coping skills, setting goals and developing a relapse prevention plan. The Mayo Clinic recommends abstaining from substance use altogether by avoiding risky situations and maintaining a treatment plan, which may be developed in a program of recovery.
Goal Setting
Setting goals for recovery is the crux of an effective relapse prevention plan. Goal setting often signifies a starting point toward abstinence from substance use as well as a motivator for continued abstinence in the recovery process. No matter if recovery has just started or if it has been maintained for a while, personalrecoverytools.com suggests setting simple yet realistic goals. There are goals that are specific, achievable and expressed in the positive. One goal might be "Today I will go to a recovery support meeting." According to Florida Self-Directed Care, one goal-setting method useful in recovery is SMART goals. SMART stands for: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-limited.
Warning Sign Identification
Identifying potential problems that may arise during the recovery process is crucial toward staying sober. The addiction web site of Terence Gorski suggests that identifying the warning signs for relapse can make the difference between staying sober and falling back into addictive patterns. Develop a list of warning signs as well as suggestions for dealing with the warning signs. The Mayo Clinic further recommends use of this strategy to avoid high-risk situations that can lead to relapse.
Recovery Action Plan
Recovery action plans, also known as relapse prevention plans, can be developed as part of recovery counseling or by self education with help from the Internet. An action plan that identifies triggers to substance use as well as ways to manage the triggers is one means for maintaining recovery. A recovery action plan that addresses ways to manage crisis is also ideal for maintaining sobriety.
Support for Recovery
Having a sober support system is helpful for recovery. In a program of relapse prevention, having healthy and sober people to turn to makes a difference during times of risk or crisis. Support people may include family or friends. If family or friends are not available, counselors trained in addiction recovery are also an option for support. The Mayo Clinic recommends obtaining help from a support group as an effective strategy for coping with addiction.
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