Non controlled stress after drug rehab is the largest cause of relapse after completing an addiction program. Research has shown that 75 % of relapses are associated with 3 situations. They are negative emotional states, interpersonal conflict, and social pressure, (Marlatt & Gordon, 1985, 2000) Learning to cope with these 3 while you are still in a drug and alcohol rehab program will help you to decrease the chance of a slip or relapse.

With these three, and most of the others negative states in your life, it is not so much the state as your response to it that is the problem. It more simply stated is if you let the stress caused by the situation to spiral upward and escalalate, or hopefully, spiral the other direction and contol your response. A great way to accomplish this is through role play and discussing in advance how to handle these situations.

Role playing a social situation is critical to being comfortable enough to firmly say no thanks if presented with opporunities to use. If fact in would be useful to have two or three different strategies to use on each of the big three triggers to stress that lead to relaspe. By sharing and swapping ideas with the other clients at drug and alcohol rehab, it is easy to come up with multiple ways of coping. Most clients do this. Most however do not role play or practice them until they are second nature. Take a few minutes every day while you are in a program and practice. It will be time well spent.

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