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Assessment for Warning Signs of Relapse

SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCE

Assessment for Warning Signs of Relapse

 

Excerpted and slightly adapted from Adolescent Recovery Plan: Continuing Care by Stephen G. Biddulph (copyright 2001 by Hazelden Foundation), pp. 24-25.  Reprinted by permission of Hazeldon Foundation, Center City, MN.

 

The following list contains normal warning signs that teens experience before they relapse into drug use.  Families should review each of these warning signs with their teen to decide which ones are primary for him or her and learn how to recognize them.  They should decide together on a “rapid response,” something the teen can quickly do to keep him or her from relapsing or entertaining the desire to use.  The teen should write the actions, or rapid responses, in the right-hand column.

 

 

WARNING SIGN

RAPID RESPONSE

Assigning blame instead of responsibility

Example: state my own responsibility in the matter

Giving up personal goals

 

Wasting time—feeling bored

 

Hurrying things too fast

 

Not paying attention to details

 

Giving up on things before they’re done

 

Being overly self-confident—cocky

 

Being depressed, hopeless, or helpless

 

Being disorganized

 

Getting easily angered or emotional

 

Stopping daily routine or healthy living

 

Showing an I-don’t-care attitude

 

Stop communicating—not talking

 

Overreacting to situations or challenges

 

Stop attending AA or NA meetings—counseling

 

Spending excessively or becoming sexually active

 

Returning to old friends and places

 

Acting without thinking things through

 

Showing no forgiveness; holding grudges

 

 





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