If you have recently relapsed
This worksheet helps you reflect and learn from your most recent recurrence/relapse.
Assessment Map
Welcome to the MOUD Hub. If you need help figuring out where to start, follow this quick assessment.
Recurrence/Relapse can happen. This is nothing to be ashamed of and gives you an opportunity to re-assess where you need extra support. The next steps are to cope with the consequences and figure out what you want to do next.
Some research has found that people who overcame a substance use disorder usually took about 2-5 treatment attempts
Some studies even suggest that the number of quit attempts varies more than this, with some estimates ranging from 5 to 6 to 20 or 30 serious attempts.
Think of relapse as “recycling” through earlier stages. Relapse gives you an opportunity to readjust, figure out what else you may need, and to revisit previous stages.
Sometimes circumstances take over and life gets hard. Whether you used one time, for a few weeks, or for a few months, it is never too late to get back into treatment. Recurrences/Relapses are a natural part of creating change in your life and although they may create self-doubt, or make us questions our self-worth, they don’t have to keep us in that place.
Sometimes it is helpful to look at recurrence/relapse as an opportunity to reassess what else you might need in your recovery process. This website does a good job of outlining it, here are the main things to keep in mind :
Identify the cause of your recurrence/relapse. Did you return to an old place in your mind that was triggering? Did the opportunity present itself? Was it related to unmet emotional or physical needs?
Assess your current and future treatment needs. Maybe the last course of treatment wasn’t enough and you need more support in place.
Recommit to healthy life choices
Engage with your support system
Use the recurrence/relapse as motivation to re-engage in your recovery. What did you learn about yourself this time?
Most importantly: take very good care, as given reduced tolerance to opioids after treatment, you are at higher risk of overdosing. If getting back into treatment is not an option for you right now, or an option you do not want, please revisit our harm reduction resources as risks, such as overdosing, can increase after stopping treatment. The crisis lines are also a great resource to turn to when you need more immediate help.
If you are ready to get back into treatment, call your provider and check out our Preparation stage for more resources!
Here are some worksheets that might be helpful in planning out a relapse prevention plan for you. Sometimes in the moment, it is difficult to think of coping skills or reasons to keep going with your treatment. Filling these out before those moments makes it easier to look back on.
If you are in treatment, discuss creating a relapse prevention plan with your counselor. This could also include what to do in the event of a relapse.
This worksheet helps you reflect and learn from your most recent recurrence/relapse.
This is the time to go back with your loved one and see what else they may need. However, it is also an important time for you to take care of yourself. Sometimes as much as we want to, we cannot work harder for someone’s recovery than them. This may be a good opportunity to revisit boundary setting, codependency, and support.
NAMI is an additional resource that can be used: https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Support-Groups/NAMI-Family-Support-Group
If you need extra support, there are groups such as Al-Anon that you can attend. Al-anon is for family and loved ones of someone who is struggling with substance use.
Here are some questions to think about:
You will be able to download them or send them to yourself to keep them.
Welcome to the MOUD Hub. If you need help figuring out where to start, follow this quick assessment.
