Relapse prevention is the set of strategies that help a person who has stopped using to stay that way and to react in time if they start again. A relapse does not wipe out the progress made: it is a sign that something needs adjusting. When it happens after a full course of treatment, a stabilisation programme makes it possible to regain control without starting from scratch.
What a relapse in addiction is
We talk about relapse when, after a period of abstinence and stability, the person uses again. A distinction is often made between a one-off use (a slip or lapse) and a return to the previous pattern of use. Acting on the first can prevent the second.
Relapses are common in recovery from addiction, as they are in other chronic conditions. They do not mean that treatment has failed or that the person lacks willpower, but they do call for a response.
Warning signs before a relapse
Relapse usually begins before any substance is used. Some signs worth watching for:
- Dropping routines or missing therapy sessions.
- Going back to places or people associated with substance use.
- More stress, anxiety, irritability or sadness than usual.
- Thinking “just this once won’t hurt” or remembering only the pleasant side of using.
- Withdrawing and hiding how you feel.
Relapse prevention: what helps
- Identifying triggers: situations, emotions, people or places that spark the urge to use.
- Having a plan for those moments: who to call, what to do and how to get out of the situation.
- Keeping up therapeutic follow-up even when everything is going well, for example through outpatient treatment.
- Looking after the basics: sleep, diet, physical activity and leisure time without substances.
- Involving the family, who can spot changes and offer support without policing.
To see the whole process, read how addiction is treated.
What a stabilisation programme is
It is a short, intensive residential stay designed for people who have already completed a full course of treatment and have relapsed, or are clearly at risk of doing so. Rather than repeating the whole process, it focuses on understanding what went wrong and strengthening what is needed to return to abstinence.
Who it is for
- People who in the past completed a residential rehabilitation programme and who, after a period of being stable and not using, have had a relapse.
- People whom the referring professional considers to be at high risk of relapse and for whom a preventive admission is felt to be necessary, without the need to go through the full treatment again.
How it works
The FSC stabilisation programme takes place at Riera Major, a residential therapeutic centre run by the Fundación Salud y Comunidad (FSC) in the Osona area of Catalonia. It lasts five weeks, on an intensive residential basis, in a rural setting. Getting away from your usual surroundings for a while helps to break with the habits and relationships linked to substance use.
During the stay, the person:
- Undergoes physical detoxification, if indicated.
- Analyses why the relapse or destabilisation happened.
- Refocuses and redefines their reintegration plan so they can return to abstinence after leaving.
Therapeutic programme
One of its keys is intensity, made possible by working with a small group of people. Activities include:
- Ongoing medical and psychiatric follow-up.
- Individual psychotherapy sessions (1 a week) and tutoring sessions (1 a week).
- Group psychotherapy, three to four hours a day, spread over several sessions.
- Occupational workshops: vegetable growing, gardening, maintenance, DIY and household tasks.
- Cultural and educational workshops: magazine, crafts and health education.
- Organised leisure time, with individual and group activities.
Working with families
Families play an important role: from the first week of the stay they can be in contact with the person admitted, and they receive guidance and therapeutic support to cope with what is happening. There is a weekly therapy group for relatives and, every two weeks, family therapy sessions.
The Riera Major centre
Riera Major, managed by FSC, treats dependence on alcohol, cocaine or both, as well as on other substances. It opened in November 2006 and builds on the twenty years of experience in professional residential treatment gained at Can Coll, FSC’s therapeutic community, with an established team and programmes that are integrated into the Catalan network of addiction care services. Find out more on our treatment centres page.
When to ask for help
If you have started using again after treatment, or you notice you are becoming destabilised, ask for help as soon as possible: the sooner you act, the easier it is to get things back on track. If you are already in follow-up, talk to your therapist or your usual centre. If not, call +34 93 424 04 00 (guidance is free of charge) to ask for a free first appointment. In a medical emergency, call 112, the European emergency number.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the stabilisation programme last?
Five weeks, on an intensive residential basis, at the Riera Major centre, located in a rural setting in the Osona area.
Do I have to repeat the whole treatment if I have relapsed?
Not necessarily. The stabilisation programme is designed for people who have already completed a residential rehabilitation programme: it focuses on analysing the relapse and strengthening the reintegration plan without repeating the whole process.
Does a relapse mean that treatment has failed?
No. Relapses are common in recovery from addiction. What matters is spotting them early, understanding what caused them and adjusting the treatment.
Can I be admitted without having relapsed?
Yes, in some cases. If the referring professional considers that there is a high risk of relapse, they may recommend a preventive admission.
Can the family take part during the stay?
Yes. From the first week, relatives can be in contact with the person admitted, and they have a weekly therapy group and family therapy every two weeks.