How to Write a Relapse Prevention Plan

When you are involved with the Department of Children and Families, more commonly referred to as the DCF, you may be asked to submit a “Relapse Prevention Plan. The relapse prevention plan helps you to focus on what is important. The plan helps you to know what

your action steps are and can also be helpful in keeping you on track for recovery. The relapse prevention plan can also aid in seeking improvement. Nonetheless, a Relapse Prevention is only helpful if you know what you are doing when you make such a plan. For families involved in recovery, understanding what are my rights during a DCF investigation becomes crucial, Here at The Law Office of Kevin Seaver, we want to assist you in any way we can.

This includes creating and maintaining the relapse prevention plan.
Here are some of the basics of a relapse prevention plan. It should be created with your personal factors. Make sure you understand what you are including for your plans to be effective as the plan must be tailored to meet your needs and sufficient to cover you. The following is a short summary of what you should include in your safety plan. You must address the following questions when writing your plans.

Your Relapse Prevention Plan Should Include:

1. A list of Triggers (people, places, emotions) that will put you at Risk.
2. What are my High-Risk Situations?
3. List of my Coping Skills and how I handle stress.
4. A list of names of people I would call if I was in distress and what my relationship is with them.
5. A list of my positive reasons for being sober.

Questions to address in your Relapse Prevention Plan:

• Have you set goals related to abstinence? What will abstinence allow you to accomplish? Assess your drinking and/or drug practices:
a) what stimuli set you off? (money, people, paraphernalia, etc.)
b) who in your work/home/social environments use alcohol and/or drugs?
c) what is the availability of alcohol or drugs in your environment?
d) what is the availability of money to obtain alcohol or drugs?
• Will you be receiving any significant sum of money in the near future?
• Have you reviewed all of your high-risk situations with peers, counselors, therapist and your significant other?
• Do you have plans for all anticipated high-risk situations?
• Have you discussed the feelings of loss or deprivation that accompany getting straight or sober? Do you feel cheated because you can’t drink or use drugs?
• Are you aware of how you justify your drinking or use of drugs? Are you aware of ways that you have tried to control your usage? Are you prepared for the highs and lows of recovery?
• Have you taken steps to limit the availability of alcohol or drugs?
• Have you told all important people in your life about your addiction(s)?
• Do you expect treatment to be a “cure” or “magical” solution?
• How do you “test” yourself in recovery?
• How will you limit exposure to people who use drugs or drink?
• Are you aware of how you make the “chain” of decisions that lead to drinking or using drugs?
• How have you interpreted past relapses? Do you see them as mistakes, failures, or episodes of weakness?
• What personality traits do you have that may interfere with recovery?
• Do you feel entitled to use drugs or drink?
• How well can you keep track of how you are feeling?
• How well do you solve problems? Do you jump at the first apparent solution?
• Do you assume that because you don’t have craving in treatment that you won’t have it after treatment?
• Do you see craving as something that has a life of its own, something out of your control?
• What lifestyle changes have you made? Do you need to change the way you structure things?
• Do you seek out help or wait for it to come to you?
• What are your plans to reduce complications or crises in your life?

Being brutally honest with yourself and in creating your relapse prevention plan is a MUST! Good Luck!

If you or a family member is involved with the DCF, Call Attorney Seaver or Request Online A Consultation

You find yourself in this situation, it’s advisable to seek legal representation from a qualified attorney, like those at the Law Office of Kevin Seaver, who can advocate for your rights and guide you through the complex process of a DCF investigation.

Remember that the ultimate goal of DCF is to ensure the safety and well-being of children while supporting families in crisis.

Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers.

Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from the attorney based on personal circumstances. Thank you.

Kevin Patrick Seaver is a Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer who represents parents against false child abuse allegations.

 

Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer Kevin Seaver has been successfully fighting false child abuse allegations since 1991.