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DRUG & ALCOHOL RELAPSE PREVENTION
Recovery from addiction doesn’t end when treatment finishes. In many ways, that’s where the real work begins. Relapse prevention is one of the most important parts of long-term recovery, and that’s why Clinic 77 offers a structured aftercare programme to help you stay steady once you’re back in your everyday life.
Managing an alcohol or drug addiction is an ongoing process. Lapses and relapses are common, but there is support available. Clinic 77 offers an addiction aftercare programme focusing on drug and alcohol relapse.
What is a Relapse Prevention & Recovery Treatment Programme?
This treatment programme is ongoing and designed to support clients as long as they feel they need it. Generally, aftercare for rehab is a follow-up to the recovery time invested in a residential facility or an outpatient treatment programme.
Drug or alcohol relapse can be a common occurrence whereby an individual returns to using these substances once they have left some sort of supported treatment facility or programme.
Here at Clinic 77, we understand that having a plan in place to support our clients’ re-entry into their community and lives is really important. It’s vital to have something that will provide support and structure, instil discipline, and simultaneously provide some much-loved accountability. We are also aware that relapse is never a one-time event but is progressive in nature. For a successful treatment, our clients must understand their triggers and be aware of what warning signs they should look out for.
Our relapse prevention programme in Auckland, alongside our outpatient rehab options, gives clients a clear pathway from intensive treatment to long-term recovery support. Whether you’ve completed inpatient care with us or are transitioning from another service, we meet you where you are.
What Our Addiction Relapse Prevention Programme Involves
Our addiction relapse prevention treatment programme takes approximately 6 hours per week across two days. The programme supports our clients in being involved in several different types of integrative recovery treatment, including:
Individual Counselling/Psychotherapy
Psychoeducation Groups
Interpersonal Psychotherapy Process Groups
12-Step Work (Optional)
Self-Reflection Studies: Relevant reading and writing
Skills & Resource Development
Pharmacology
Supporting Resources & Network Development
Because the programme runs across two days a week, it works well as a step-down from our intensive outpatient programme, or as ongoing support for anyone who has finished residential treatment. The structure mirrors what you’d expect from an IOP programme: evidence-based therapy, peer connection, and skill-building, delivered at a pace that fits around work and family life.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What’s the Difference Between a Lapse and a Relapse?
Lapse" and "relapse" have differing meanings regarding addiction. At Clinic 77, we understand that both lapses and relapses are common challenges in the journey to recovery from addiction. Understanding these terms helps develop effective relapse prevention strategies and long-term sobriety.
Here's how they differ:
LAPSE
This refers to a brief, isolated instance of using a substance again after treatment. A lapse is considered a single, limited occurrence of substance use after a period of abstinence or reduced use. Lapsing does not indicate a complete return to regular substance use but is viewed rather as a temporary setback.
RELAPSE
This refers to a more serious, sustained return to substance use after maintaining sobriety or managing addiction. Relapses are more significant setbacks in recovery, where an individual has returned to patterns of behaviour that were present before undergoing a treatment or recovery programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Signs of a Potential Impending Relapse?
It’s important for individuals in recovery, as well as for their support systems and healthcare providers, to recognise the signs of a potential impending relapse. While the specific signs can vary from person to person, some common indicators include:
Social isolation and withdrawal from social activities and support networks.
Sudden changes in mood and behaviour.
Neglecting self-care (hygiene, personal appearance, and healthy habits).
Reconnecting with enablers.
Lack of engagement and commitment to recovery treatment.
Loss of accountability for actions.
Increased stress levels.
If you notice these warning signs in yourself or someone you care about, it’s worth reaching out early. Connecting with addiction support groups or stepping back into structured aftercare for rehab can help you stay on track before a lapse becomes a full relapse.
How Long Does the Relapse Prevention Programme Run For?
There’s no fixed end date. Our addiction aftercare programme supports clients for as long as they need it; some people stay for a few months, others continue for a year or more. We have an open-door policy, which means you’re welcome to return whenever you need extra support.
Who is the Programme For?
Our addiction relapse prevention programme suits anyone who has completed inpatient or outpatient treatment (with us or elsewhere) and wants ongoing structure to protect their recovery. It’s also a strong fit for people transitioning out of an intensive outpatient programme who want to maintain therapeutic support while easing back into full-time work or family life. We support clients across Auckland and the Waikato region, both in person and online.