An Example of a Relapse Prevention Plan

Overall Goal: Abstinence/Responsible Living 

No lapses/relapses

Basic Principles

Conscience = right or wrong

Empathy = awareness of others feelings, tolerance, understanding & patience

Integrity = sound & complete, trustworthiness

Self-worth = value myself

 

Immediate/Short-Term Goals

Intervention Techniques

*Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - ABCDE System, where:

A = Activating event, incident or experience

B = Beliefs & thoughts that come into play in response to A

C = Consequences - negative emotions eg frustration, anxiety, guilt, anger

D = Disputing beliefs/thoughts (B) eg this isn't that important within the big picture

E = Effect - new emotional response eg decrease in anxiety level

*Empathy/Problem Solving Technique

Diagram - Issue/problem at the centre, identify other people who are involved, try to look at the issue from their point of view, develop appropriate response

*LAST Technique

Coping with compulsive staring, where:

L = Look - take in the image, acknowledge a presence with inherent risk

A = Away - immediately look away, so that person is outside vision

ST = Stay - hold to slow count of 10, or until person has passed by, don't look back

*Regular use of Journal, particularly when difficult issues arise

*Carry-Bag - HRF Cue Cards, Lapse Contract, distraction material - magazine, book, hand-held computer games, puzzles

*Rubber Band Technique - think STOP, snap the band on wrist, recite brief affirmation: I must not go back into my cycle, I will change this negative thought into a positive

*Remind myself daily of the consequences of re-offending - harm to others, going back to prison, loss of my family & friends forever

*Ensure that I'm not left alone with a potential victim

 

Anger Reduction

*Relax - regular meditation (deep breathing and counting)

*Develop mental flexibility - let go of insistence regarding an ideal world

*Balanced lifestyle - work, home life, leisure, community service, personal growth, spiritual activity, flat-out fun

*Identify & reduce stressors eg take a different route if bothered by heavy traffic

*Don't attach anger to the personality of others

*Question thoughts that trigger anger immediately before taking any action - particularly challenge should, ought to, must & have to statements

  (refer ABCDE system)

*Recognise the demanding nature of these thoughts, along with the drama & blaming (people can be ignorant, stupid, or upset/off-balance)

*Become sensitive to physical cues eg breathing harder, feeling hot & flushed

*Share with others - discuss issues as they arise, express in a way they can accept, forgive & apologise = understanding

*Get involved with doing something about things that upset me - Greenpeace, World Vision, community group

*Utilise a new set of anger-reducing beliefs:

In the great scheme of things, this event is not that important

Life is as it is, not the way I insist it must be - patience/being philosophical

Should is a danger-signal word

There is no law that states all reality must measure up to my ideals

See anger as useful - a means of identifying & exploring an issue constructively

I am responsible for getting my needs met as best as I can - initiate sharing & discussion

 

Awareness of High Risk Factors

1. Isolating myself

Specific Adaptive Coping Responses

*Develop social network - family & friends, leisure activities & hobbies, community groups, team sporting activities, neighbours, local library

*Utilise support people - counsellor, parole officer, support group, special friends

*Follow through on further education opportunity

*Develop contacts with Buddhist organisation

2. Thinking I'm no good, that something's wrong with me

Specific Adaptive Coping Responses

*Positive reinforcement & affirmation - tapes, letters, photo albums

*Associate with positive people

*Personal development booklist - continue reading books on personal development at every opportunity eg  "Starting Over" by John Gray, "Healing the Child Within" by Charles Whitfield, and "The Family" by John Bradshaw

*Recognise past educational achievements, with further potential next year when new study program begins

*Cherish & value my friendships, especially with long-time friends who continue to support me

*Accept compliments/praise without deflecting them

*Disengage from conversations/situations that put me down or humiliate me

*My father had his problems - I've had the benefit of learning how not to re-offend & to be a better person

3. Feeling angry, frustrated, out of control

Specific Adaptive Coping Responses

*ABCDE System, Empathy/Problem Solving Technique

*Do some physical activity

*Talk to a third party about the problem/issue/situation

*Use my Journal to explore the situation and to come up with options/solutions

*Validate the other person's position as well as my own (empathy)

*Trust in people - ask for help where necessary

*Be honest - no more secrets

*Don't let the stress build up - deal with it effectively

*Time out - read a favourite magazine, go to the movies, go out for dinner, then come back and try to think through the problem

*Practice assertive communication at all times (as opposed to passive-aggressive)

4. Accessing pornography on the Internet

Specific Adaptive Coping Responses

*Install program that denies access to sites

*Journaling - dealing with issues/problems as they arise - don't allow build-up of stress/tension. Also use for keeping a record of fantasies, daydreams, flashes that involve deviant behaviour (where & when, emotional state, reaction to the fantasy, ACR employed)

*Develop positive addictions - hobbies, sports, socialising - ensure the majority of these activities are done in the company of other people

*Immediate interventions (controlling the PIG: Problem of Immediate Gratification) - Count back from 1000 in 7s, computer chess, animals beginning with each letter of the alphabet, cue cards, write/play/record some music on the computer keyboard, reading a novel, writing to friends, ring a support person, go out with the walkmans & a favourite tape, play basketball, visit one of my neighbours for a coffee & chat, cook up something hot and spicy, put on a favourite movie/doco/arts program from video collection

5. Staying up late, watching videos/TV alone

Specific Adaptive Coping Responses

*Plan evening beforehand - friends for dinner, radio/favourite TV program, reading, preparation for a good nights rest

*Catalog music/movies/books on database

*Become involved in some activities (community group, sport & leisure, jam sessions) that involve an evening commitment

*Develop some positive options using the Internet - environmental issues, politics, marketing original music

*Plan the week's meals, shopping, budget, etc (emphasising healthy lifestyle)

*Spend an evening a week at the local library

 

Implementation of Rehabilitation Program

*Re-establish contact with Counselling Service and commence individual on-going counselling

*Participate in a group offender treatment & support program

*Recovery program to be a lifelong commitment

 

Awareness of Defence Mechanisms & Offending Cycle

*Denial - acknowledge things may be difficult, and that it is necessary to bring the issues out into the open - ask for help from support people

*Minimisation - be honest about the extent of the problem; I do need to continue to work hard at changing my behaviour and staying offence-free

*Externalising - what happens from this point is completely in my hands; I accept full responsibility for the consequences of my actions - no one else can be blamed

*Cycle - Build up/Acting out/Justification/Pretend-normal 

 

General Adaptive Coping Responses

*Finalise settlement/divorce details with my wife; ask if there is anything I can help her with in regard to establishing & developing her new-found independence - try to be understanding & forgiving

 

Long-Term Goals

Employment

*Find suitable, reliable, on-going employment

*Avoid working in isolation, look for a team environment

*Ensure that the work involves a minimum of stress

 

Family-of-Origin Issues

*Developing self-esteem, assertiveness & self-confidence

*Express compassion, understanding & forgiveness

*Begin reconciliation process with various family members

*Deal with rejection & family abuse issues

 

Co-dependency in Relationships

*Work through childhood abuse blocks - emotional growth & development

*Look to inner self for love & acceptance

*Become better at expressing opinions & feelings appropriately

*Take risks, experiment, be spontaneous without being afraid of what people may think

 

Accommodation

*Find secure and reliable accommodation

*Shared accommodation with other adults is my first preference

 

General Adaptive Coping Responses

*Accept what I cannot change, work on what I can change - accept responsibility

*If possible, make some form of restitution to my victim and my wife, without prejudice to their own needs and boundaries 

*Renew my relationship with music - composition and recording, playing with other people on a regular basis

*Complete whatever tertiary study program I undertake, aiming for excellent results

*Additional hobbies and interests - I think that it is important for me to develop some new interests that involve other people (eg painting classes)

*Voluntary community work in a support program for men-at-risk of offending

*Effective stress management (goal-setting, problem solving, time management)

*Explore my spiritual development through meditation and discussion

*Commit to World Vision, or something similar, so as to give something back to children, but without having direct contact with them

*Take care of my personal health - diet and exercise

*Manage my finances effectively

*Develop ACR resources - wall charts, cue cards, reminder notices in house/car/work

*Through counselling and personal learning, develop my abilities in applying empathy, compassion and understanding of others in all aspects of my life

*Associate whenever possible with people who are positive, safe and supportive

*Make regular use of positive activities - a gift to someone I care about, add something new to my home/work environment, go on a special outing, take an interest in community events and celebrations