Free Relapse Prevention Blueprint: Early Warning Signs & Lapse-vs-Relapse Plan
Relapse Prevention · Practice-informed · Clinical consensus
A client-held blueprint completed collaboratively near the end of treatment, distinguishing a temporary, manageable "lapse" from a full "relapse" back into old patterns, and setting out specific early warning signs, coping resources, and who to contact if those signs appear.
Underlying mechanism: Relapse prevention planning and lapse-versus-relapse differentiation
What it helps with
- Naming the client's own early warning signs in concrete, observable terms rather than vague feelings.
- Cataloguing which coping tools actually worked during treatment, so they are not forgotten once sessions end.
- Separating a brief, normal slip from a genuine relapse, which reduces catastrophising if a difficult period does occur.
- Leaving the client with real, actionable contacts rather than a generic "seek help if needed" instruction.
How clinicians use it
- Completed collaboratively across the final two sessions of a therapy course, once therapeutic gains are established.
- Used to consolidate what the client and clinician have identified as effective across the whole treatment, not just the final phase.
- Given to the client as a physical or saved document to keep, distinct from clinical case notes.
Clinical Implementation Guide
- Draw warning signs from the client's own history wherever possible — a sign they have seen precede difficulty before is more useful than a generic list.
- Distinguish explicitly between a lapse (brief, expected, manageable) and a relapse (sustained slide back), and name what response fits each.
- Confirm every contact listed is current and that the client is comfortable using it — an outdated number undermines the whole document.
What the worksheet looks like
| Early Warning Sign | What It Usually Means | Coping Tool That Has Worked | Who to Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping less than 5 hours for three nights running. | Stress is building faster than I'm managing it. | Worry postponement, 10-minute wind-down routine before bed. | GP if it continues past a week. |
| Cancelling plans with friends twice in a row. | I'm starting to withdraw the way I did before. | Text one friend even if I don't feel like it, keep the plan small. | My sister — she notices this pattern early. |
| Skipping meals and not noticing until evening. | Low mood is affecting basic self-care again. | Behavioural activation schedule, simplest version. | My therapist's clinic, ask for a check-in appointment. |
Clinical cautions
Ensure the relapse prevention plan is concrete. Avoid vague instructions. List real phone numbers and real actions the client can take immediately.
References
- Marlatt, G. A., & Donovan, D. M. (Eds.). (2005). Relapse prevention: Maintenance strategies in the treatment of addictive behaviors. Guilford Press.
Part of
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Foundations