The Essentials of...Relapse Prevention [PDF]
Relapse prevention is a treatment intervention designed to teach clients a wide range of cognitive and behavioural coping skills to avoid or deal with a brief return to substance use (lapse), or a protracted return to previous levels of use (relapse), following a period of moderation or abstinence.

Resources

Report of the Task Force on Security. Relapse Techniques
This Web page describes the principles of substance abuse relapse prevention techniques. Several issues are addressed, including frequency of relapse, different interpretations of the relapse event and various approaches developed to prevent it. Detailed references can be found at the bottom of the page.
Published: 2007
Source: Correctional Service Canada
Website: www.csc-scc.gc.ca
Language: English and French

Rechute … [PDF]
Brochure aimed at alcoholics and their loved ones. The standpoint taken is that a relapse can be considered as an opportunity, instead of a failure. It also contains guidance as to what to do in case of a relapse and how to prevent it.
Published: 2007
Source: Institut suisse de prévention de l’alcoolisme et autres toxicomanies
Website: www.suchtschweiz.ch
Language: French and German

Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) Audiovisual Resources: Subject Headings—Relapse Prevention [PDF]
Published: 2006
Source: Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM)
Website: www.afm.mb.ca 
Language: English only
Cost: Free membership is available to all Manitobans. To borrow from the library you need to reside in Manitoba, complete a membership form and be 18 years of age or older (teachers or parents can borrow on behalf of younger students). Registration requires proof of residency in Manitoba and a signature.

Structured Relapse Prevention: An Outpatient Counselling Approach, 2nd Edition
In the substance use treatment field, it is recognized that strategies used to initiate change are different from those used to maintain change. With the goal of helping clients effectively maintain change in their substance use behaviours, we have revised and expanded CAMH’s successful Structured Relapse Prevention: An Outpatient Counselling Approach.
Published: 2006
Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Website: www.camh.net
Language: English only
Cost: CAD$34.95

Re-mapping Relapse: Charting New Recovery Pathways [PDF]
This PowerPoint presentation describes several methods for relapse prevention, including mutual aid organizations, Gorski’s developmental model of recovery, natural recovery, Marlatt’s model, ARF’s structured relapse prevention approach, harm reduction, and relapse prevention. This presentation also includes many bibliographic references and recommends several clinical tools.
Published: 2005
Source: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Website: www.ccsa.ca
Language: English and French

Relapse Prevention: Planning for Success
This information speaks directly to a person who has decided to discontinue using a particular substance.
Source: Alberta Health Services (AHS)
Website: www.albertahealthservices.ca  
Language: English only

Clinical Guidelines for Implementing Relapse Prevention Therapy [PDF]
Published: December 2002
Source: G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D., George A. Parks, Ph.D., and Katie Witkiewitz, Ph.C.
Addictive Behaviors Research Center, Department of Psychology
University of Washington
Language: English only

Prévention structurée de la rechute [PDF]
This video shows therapists how to use structured relapse prevention in a group. To demonstrate the SRP techniques, the video presents dramatized clinical sessions in which the various styles that therapists can use are shown. Can be rented.
Published: 1997
Source: Association des intervenants en toxicomanie du Québec
Website: www.aitq.com
Language: French only
Cost: $25–$50