Adolescent Relapse Prevention Workbook: A Brief Strategic Approach

by Terence T. Gorski MA

Chemically dependent adolescents have a tendency to relapse because of problems they experience at home, school, and with their friends. These problems activate urges and cravings to use alcohol and drugs. What is needed is a brief, yet effective sequence of steps that adolescents can use to identify and manage those high-risk situations.

The Adolescent Relapse Prevention Workbook first reviews a list of common adolescent Relapse Warning Signs. The adolescent then selects and personalizes a warning sign that is likely to increase the risk of relapse and describes specific situations in which this warning sign might occur. The adolescent learns to identify the irrational thoughts, unmanageable feelings, self-destructive urges, and self-defeating behavior that leads to alcohol and drug use. New ways of thinking, feeling, managing urges, and behaving are learned that promote recovery and present relapse. Kids like this process because its easy to learn, they can do it right, and it works!