As January draws to a close, I'd like to revisit the subject of relapse. A month ago, many of us made New Year's Resolutions, that are now fading into a distant memory.
You may even be wondering why you relapsed, after all your good intentions. It is actually so well recognized that people trying to overcome addictions relapse, that it is included in the stages of change model. Changing your behavior goes through a number of stages, as you first contemplate change, then decide to take action, only to find that you have a slip. The trick of recovery is to get back on the wagon as soon as possible, rather than seeing it as failure and proof that you can't quit.
I've also just reviewed an excellent book on preventing relapse, called Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention. Although it is written for clinicians who are helping people to avoid relapse, it could be a great resource for intellectually minded clients who have already quit and want a structured program to use at home.
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