Recovery & relapse prevention worksheet
Relapse Prevention Plan
A personal map of what pulls toward relapse and what protects against it — triggers, early warning signs, coping strategies, and the people to call before things escalate.
How to use this worksheet
What I'm working to protect
My reasons for recovery — the people, goals, and values that make staying on track worth it.
My triggers — high-risk situations
People, places, times, feelings, or events that raise the risk. Be specific.
External (people, places, situations)
Internal (feelings, thoughts, states)
Early warning signs
The subtle shifts that show up before a lapse — in mood, thinking, routine, or behavior. What did the slide look like last time?
Coping strategies that work for me
Concrete actions to take when a trigger or warning sign shows up — things I've actually done that help.
- Leave the situation / change my environment
- Reach out to a support person (see below)
- Use a grounding or urge-surfing technique
- Go to a meeting or call my sponsor / recovery contact
- Move my body — walk, exercise, physical activity
- Delay & distract — ride out the urge; it peaks and passes
Others that work for me:
My support network
People and groups I can reach out to — fill in numbers ahead of time so they're ready when I need them.
If a lapse happens — my emergency plan
A lapse is not a failure; what I do next is what matters. The specific steps I'll take to interrupt it and get back on track fast.
24/7 crisis & recovery lines
988— Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text)
833-710-6477— NH Rapid Response Access Point (24/7 mental health & substance use crisis)
211— NH 211, treatment & recovery resources
1-844-711-4357 — The Doorway NH (substance use treatment access)
Review & commitment
- I have a copy of this plan somewhere I can reach it.
- At least one support person knows they're on my plan.
- A follow-up / next appointment is scheduled.