Library · Domain 3. Treatment Planning & Continuity of Care · 3B. Continuity of Care
Task 3B.5
Developing a relapse prevention plan
“Develop a relapse prevention plan” (NBCC, 2027 task 3B.5)
Relapse prevention helps clients anticipate and manage the situations that could bring back substance use or other problems. Originally developed for addictions, it applies to depression, anxiety, eating disorders and many other conditions. The exam tests relapse prevention concepts and the stages of change.
Key points
- Identify high-risk situations: emotional states, people, places, times, and physical states (for example the HALT reminder: hungry, angry, lonely, tired).
- Identify early warning signs, such as changes in sleep, isolation, romanticizing past use or skipping supports.
- Develop coping responses for each high-risk situation and rehearse them.
- Marlatt's relapse prevention model describes the abstinence violation effect, in which a lapse leads to guilt and a sense of failure that can turn a lapse into a full relapse; planning for lapses reduces this.
- Relapse is common in recovery and is treated as information, not failure.
- The stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance) help match interventions; relapse prevention is central in the maintenance stage.
- Include supports, such as sponsors, groups, family and crisis contacts, and lifestyle balance.
In practice
A client six months sober identifies Friday evenings after payday and arguments with his brother as high-risk times. His plan includes a standing Friday activity with a friend from his recovery group, a phone list, and a script for leaving tense conversations.
A client recovering from depression notes that her early warning signs are canceling plans and staying in bed past 10 a.m. Her plan says that if both happen for three days, she will call her counselor and schedule a pleasant activity with her sister.
Check yourself
What is the abstinence violation effect?
Guilt and a sense of failure after a lapse that can lead to a full relapse, which relapse prevention plans aim to reduce.
Name the five stages of change.
Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance.
What three elements are central in a relapse prevention plan?
High-risk situations, early warning signs and coping responses, along with supports.
NBCC's knowledge and skills for 3B. Continuity of Care
Knowledge of: Levels of care; Professional wills; Community partner/resources; Release of information (ROI) protocols and requirements; Wraparound services; Stages of change; Discharge practices; Proper termination protocols.
Skill in: Establishing contact with community resources; Applying relapse prevention strategies; Evaluating readiness for discharge.
A study guide written by ExamDragon from NBCC's published task; not NBCC material and not part of the exam.