Relapse Prevention

Definition: A set of skills designed to reduce the likelihood that symptoms (such as those of PTSD) will worsen or that a person will return to an unhealthy behavior, such as substance use. Skills include, for example, identifying early warning signs that symptoms may be worsening, recognizing high risk situations for relapse, and understanding how everyday, seemingly mundane decisions may put you on the road to relapse (for example, skipping lunch one day may make you more vulnerable to get in a bad mood).