Relapse Prevention Therapy in DRHC Dubai Psychiatry Clinic

Substance use and dependence is a chronic relapsing disorder, with multiple abstinent attempts and relapses.

Relapse can be defined as a return to the state of a continued pattern of substance use, after a period of abstinence, despite adverse consequences. It consists of a series of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that eventually lead to the act of taking substances. Relapse should be viewed as a process and part of recovery. For any recovery process to be successful, the duration of abstinence should be progressively increased and the frequency and intensity of relapses reduced.

An abstinent attempt is considered significant if there is a continued abstinence of 30 days. During this period of abstinence, specific indicators or warning signs may appear prior to the individual’s actual substance use.

Relapse Prevention Therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, that helps individuals to continue their abstinent states and prevent them from relapsing into previous patterns of substance use. It is a long-term therapy with multiple sessions, sometimes weekly or bi-weekly, preferably outpatient. It enables the substance user to face high-risk situations in their lives and deal with them on a regular basis to continue maintaining abstinence.

Identify High-Risk Situations for Relapse:

Identification of triggers or precipitants is the most important step in dealing with relapses. Some of the common high-risk situations faced by substance users include the following

• Cue-based craving - time, places where the substance was consumed, paraphernalia associated with substance use
• Peer influence – continued contact with substance-using peers, social pressures
• Negative emotional state – anger, anxiety, remorse, guilt, getting bored easily, irritability, loneliness
• Physical state – restlessness, tiredness, generalized body aches, sleep difficulties, sexual difficulties
• Co-morbid psychiatric illness – depression, anxiety, psychosis, personality disorders.

Techniques to Handle High-Risk Situations to Prevent Relapses:

Certain measures and techniques can be used to deal with high-risk situations that may lead to relapse. Any intervention done to tackle these situations can boost the morale of substance users and encourage them to stay on the path of continued abstinence.

• Anti-craving techniques – deep breathing, distraction, drinking water
• Refusal skills to deal with peer influence and social pressures
• Pharmacological interventions for anxiety, sleep difficulties, physical pain
• Psychological interventions for anger, remorse, loneliness, boredom
• Treatment of co-morbid physical and psychiatric illness
• Involvement of friends and family to support the path of recovery
• Lifestyle interventions – balanced diet, sleep hygiene, exercise, activity scheduling.

If you are experiencing any signs and symptoms of a Relapse Prevention Therapy, please don't hesitate to contact our best psychiatrist in Dubai at the Dr. Rami Hamed Center, Call +97142798200 to Schedule Your Appointment Today. We have the best psychiatry doctor, and our psychiatry clinic is situated in Dubai Healthcare City.