Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Relapse Prevention

Relapse is the return to substance abuse after a length of time being drug- or alcohol-free, known as abstinence. Put simply, a relapse is the worsening of a medical condition that had previously improved. For example, someone who had completely stopped drinking for a period of time would be experiencing a relapse if they had a single alcoholic drink, as much as if they went on a drinking binge. Based in Miami Beach, Florida, Dr Norman Goldwasser has dedicated his career to helping people overcome issues related to addiction.

The fact that addiction is chronic means that relapse is often part of the disease. In fact, as clinical psychologist Dr Norman Goldwasser explains, relapse is a hallmark of addiction. It is common, even expected, that people who are attempting to overcome an addiction will go through one or even several relapses before successfully quitting. Given the fact that relapse is considered a common aspect of the disease of addiction it does not, therefore, indicate failure.

As those in recovery know, a relapse is never out of the realm of possibility–no matter how long you’ve been sober. As such, it is vital to have a plan for how to avoid relapse and what to do if it does happen to you. Such a plan is often referred to as a relapse prevention plan. Good treatment programs plan ahead for the possibility by including relapse prevention as part of the process. Relapse prevention helps people in recovery anticipate the factors that might cause them to engage in their addictive behavior again - and to plan ahead for these situations. While you can create a relapse prevention plan on your own, it may be helpful to walk through the process with someone who has knowledge of the topic like a certified psychologist.

For over 25 years now, Dr Norman Goldwasser has been researching and using cognitive-behavioral psychology techniques while working with clients dealing with addictions or compulsive habits such as substance abuse, gambling, or sexual addiction. Cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention helps clients through the process of relapse recovery by focusing on cognitive, behavioral, and lifestyle choices that might be changed or reinforced to help the client prevent relapse. Central to this approach is the work of identifying relapse triggers and developing coping strategies.