Preventing Relapse
How to Prevent Relapse | Mindfulness and Relapse | Prescription Drugs and Relapse | Learning from Relapse
Table of Contents
Giving patients the best chance at recovery
At Castle Craig, our therapists create personalised continuing care plans for all patients which include pathways after treatment designed to help them sustain their recovery. Our individual therapy sessions and specific relapse prevention groups maximise insight into addiction and identify triggers that could cause patients to relapse once they leave rehab.
Using a range of evidence-based addiction therapies, we aim to target any underlying factors that have contributed to a patient’s addiction, making sure all issues from their past and present are addressed
Download Our Brochure
Recovery Continues After Rehab
Achieving and maintaining recovery requires continuous effort, during and after treatment. Over time, heavy drinking and substance abuse can change the way in which the brain functions. Eventually, using alcohol or drugs becomes compulsive and involuntary due to the brain re-programming itself.
This leads to deeply ingrained negative patterns of behaviour and attitudes that can lead to relapse after treatment. With over 30 years of experience in the field of addictions, we seek to change these patterns and break the cycle.
Explore strategies for preventing relapse through valuable insights and expert tips.
Important Factors for Preventing Relapse
There are many factors that can contribute to relapse. To prepare patients for life after rehab our expert team of doctors, therapists and nurses work to help them:
- Accept addiction as a chronic illness, and understand that they cannot control their alcohol or drug use.
- Be more honest and open. Hiding feelings and making excuses to justify behaviours can prevent recovery.
- Eliminate denial. Denial is an elaborate mental system that focuses on the immediate positive effects of alcohol or drug use and ignores the long-term negative effects of addiction.
- Be vigilant for signs of cravings and learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with these.
- Overcome negative moods and show them how to deal with feelings of guilt & shame, anger, frustration, self-pity, anxiety and depression. All of which are all-powerful triggers for relapse.
- Regain self-esteem. Feeling good about themselves without drinking or drugs.
- Avoid isolation and highlight the importance of attending AA/NA meetings.
- Avoid risky situations. Patients must be aware of places, people and situations which increase the temptation to drink or take drugs.
- Learn about cross-addiction. For example, a common trigger is often the use of “safe” or prescribed drugs such as tranquillizers or sleeping tablets.
- Get through long-term withdrawal. For some patients withdrawal from certain drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines) can be a long process, sometimes as long as a year for the brain to return to normal physiological functioning.
Recovery is a lifelong process, and we know that the transition from rehab to real life can be challenging. With this in mind, we aim to ensure that when the time comes for patients to leave residential rehab, all the necessary arrangements for their ongoing recovery are in place.
In the below video, recovery coach David Charkham talks about the challenges faced by people coming out of residential addiction treatment.
How We Plan for Ongoing Recovery
The Consultant Psychiatrist, focal therapist and Head Nurse devise a detailed discharge plan with the patient. This includes recommendations for further individual and group counselling (if necessary) and emphasises the importance of attending local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) / Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings regularly.
We put patients in contact with a member of their local AA/NA group, often a former patient of Castle Craig who is established in their own recovery and who can act as a ‘sponsor’, to provide guidance and support while the patient gets settled.
Aftercare at CATCH Recovery
CATCH Recovery is Castle Craig’s central London-based clinic, providing exceptional outpatient therapy to those suffering from addiction and other co-occurring disorders.
CATCH offers a range of aftercare packages designed to provide a seamless transition from inpatient rehab at Castle Craig to life at home. The standard package consists of 24 weeks of continuing care, although this can be extended at any stage during your aftercare programme.
The intensity of aftercare treatment is down to the patient. Once a patient has completed their inpatient programme, they will sit down with their therapist for a continuing care plan meeting to discuss the level of aftercare they wish to receive.
Aftercare treatment typically consists of one-to-one therapy sessions, recovery coaching and even group therapy. Individual therapy sessions can be opened up to include partners or family members on occasions – this can be arranged in consultation with your therapist.
We recommend that all patients attend weekly continuing care sessions for at least 2 years after leaving treatment.
Our specialist team liaises with GPs and referring agencies, to make sure that they are updated and involved in this process and that arrangements are in place to support patients’ ongoing care.
Compassion & Respect
Dig Deeper?
How to Prevent Relapse | Mindfulness and Relapse | Prescription Drugs and Relapse | Learning from Relapse
How Can Castle Craig Help?
How Do I Pay For Rehab?
One concern we sometimes hear from people is how they will fund their rehab treatment. The cost of rehab varies depending on what kind of accommodation you choose. You can pay for treatment at Castle Craig privately, or through medical insurance, and some people receive funding through the NHS.
How Long Is the Rehab Programme?
Residential rehab treatment starts at four weeks and can go up to 12+ weeks. Research shows us that the longer you stay in rehab and are part of the residential therapy programme, the longer the likelihood of continued abstinence and stable recovery.
Who Will I Speak to When I Call?
When you call you will reach our Help Centre team who will give you all the information you need to help you decide whether to choose treatment at Castle Craig. Once you have decided that you would like to have a free screening assessment you will be put in touch with our admissions case managers who will guide you through the admissions process.
What Happens at the End of My Treatment?
Castle Craig thoroughly prepares patients before departure by creating a personalised continuing care plan which is formulated following discussions with the medical and therapeutic team. We offer an online continuing care programme which runs for 24 weeks after leaving treatment, in order to ensure a smooth transition back into your everyday life. Patients leaving treatment automatically join our Recovery Club where they can stay connected via our annual reunion, events, online workshops and recovery newsletters.