Psychological Support for Relapse Prevention

Understanding Triggers and Early Warning Signs

A key part of relapse prevention is learning to recognise what increases vulnerability. Triggers are highly individual and may be internal, external, or relational.

Common triggers include:

• Chronic stress or sleep disruption
• Emotional overwhelm or unprocessed feelings
• Relationship conflict or feeling unsupported
• Transitions such as returning to work or adolescent changes
• Perfectionism or self-criticism

Early warning signs include increased irritability, withdrawal, emotional numbness, rumination, or difficulty regulating impulses. Identifying these signs early allows for timely intervention rather than crisis management.

Emotional Regulation as a Core Protective Skill

Difficult emotions are not the problem. How emotions are managed often determines whether setbacks escalate.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, is a well-established, evidence-based approach that supports emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT has been shown to reduce emotional dysregulation and improve coping across a range of mental health presentations

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, is one evidence-based approach commonly used in relapse prevention. DBT focuses on:

• Emotional regulation
• Distress tolerance
• Interpersonal effectiveness
• Values-based decision making

Logic Lounge Psychology offers DBT group therapy programs for individuals who benefit from structured skill development alongside others.

Relapse Prevention in Addiction Recovery

Relapse prevention is a foundational component of addiction psychology. Substance use relapse is common, particularly during periods of emotional distress, social pressure, or reduced support.

Effective relapse prevention focuses on:

• Understanding personal high-risk situations
• Developing alternative coping responses
• Strengthening motivation and long-term goals
• Addressing shame and all-or-nothing thinking

Our addiction psychology services integrate relapse prevention within a compassionate, non-judgmental therapeutic framework

Anxiety, Avoidance, and Re-Emerging Patterns

For individuals managing anxiety, relapse often appears as a gradual return to avoidance, reassurance seeking, or excessive worry. Beyond Blue reports that 1 in 5 Australian adults experience anxiety each year, and relapse is more likely without ongoing psychological strategies

When Additional Psychiatric Support Is Helpful

In some cases, relapse risk is influenced by complex or co-occurring mental health needs that benefit from a multidisciplinary approach. This may include medication review alongside psychological therapy.

Logic Lounge works collaboratively with psychiatry when appropriate to support comprehensive care

A Brief Note for Family and Carers

While relapse prevention is centred on the individual, supportive relationships can play a helpful role. Family members and carers may benefit from guidance around boundaries, communication, and responding to early warning signs without taking on a therapeutic role. In some situations, family counselling may support healthier dynamics alongside individual therapy

Relapse Prevention Is About Progress, Not Perfection

Relapse prevention does not promise that challenges will never return. What it offers is greater awareness, flexibility, and confidence in responding when they do.

With the right support, people can learn to:

• Notice vulnerability earlier
• Use skills more consistently
• Reduce the impact of setbacks
• Maintain meaningful change over time

If you are seeking relapse prevention support that is practical, evidence-based, and tailored to your experience, Logic Lounge offers a thoughtful and collaborative approach to long term wellbeing.