What is a relapse prevention plan and what should it include?

• A. A plan listing only negative consequences of relapse.
• B. A plan for non-specific wellness activities without triggers.
• C. A relapse prevention plan identifying triggers, coping strategies, support resources, emergency contacts, and steps to resume treatment after a lapse.
• D. A treatment schedule without coping strategies.

Answer: (C)

A relapse prevention plan is a proactive, personalized roadmap that helps someone stay engaged in recovery by anticipating high-risk situations and having ready, practical steps to handle them. The plan should identify triggers or situations that increase relapse risk, and pair that with coping strategies people can use in the moment, such as urge management techniques, distraction, grounding, reaching out to support people, or specific action steps. It also needs to list the support resources available—like case managers, therapists, peer groups, family or friends—and emergency contacts who can be reached if help is needed quickly.

Importantly, it outlines steps to resume treatment after a lapse, including who to contact, how to re-engage with appointments or medication if applicable, and a concrete timeline for getting back on track. This combination—triggers, coping strategies, support resources, emergency contacts, and a clear plan to resume treatment—creates a practical framework that reduces risk and supports continuity of care when challenges arise.

Other options fall short because they focus only on negative consequences without providing actionable strategies, or they prescribe generic wellness activities without addressing specific triggers or supports, or they omit coping strategies and a concrete process for re-engaging in treatment after a lapse.