Breaking the cycle: Mirmont Treatment Center's Relapse Prevention Program

Overcoming substance use disorder and staying sober is a constant battle. From cravings to underlying emotional issues, relapse can be triggered by a variety of factors. Recognizing these challenges and learning how to navigate them is key to breaking the cycle of repeated outcomes of relapse.

Let’s explore the common challenges individuals face in their journey towards recovery and how Mirmont Treatment Center, part of Main Line Health, addresses them in their Gorski-focused Advanced Relapse Prevention Program.

The role of counseling and therapy in preventing relapse

"A specific process of advanced counseling and therapy play a crucial role in preventing relapse by addressing the underlying issues that contribute to substance use disorder," says Jessica Molavi, MA ACRPS, clinical manager of specialty services at Mirmont Treatment Center. "Through one-on-one sessions and group therapy, individuals can explore their warning signs and progression of problematic thinking patterns. They'll develop coping mechanisms, prevention and intervention skills and gain insight into their wired patterns of behavior."

Therapists provide guidance, support and accountability throughout the recovery process, helping individuals navigate through challenging emotions and unhealthy reactions to stress and discomfort. Engagement in the relapse prevention therapy process will create a safe space for individuals to heal from unresolved past trauma that continues to drive outcomes of self-sabotage and self-harm, arming them with the tools they need to stay on the path to lasting recovery.

Strategies and tools for recognizing warning signs and high-risk situations

In order to recognize warning signs and high-risk situations, Mirmont Treatment Center equips individuals with effective strategies and tools.

"We teach techniques to help build insight and awareness into common warning signs that create risk for relapse and support the individual to address the underlying core drivers. This helps minimize the risk for activating these warning signs and builds a skill set to recognize when and if there is risk for warning signs to occur so that the person is capable of intervening. We also provide education on both critical and high-risk situations and offer guidance on how to navigate them safely," says Molavi.

Through this comprehensive approach, Mirmont Treatment Center empowers individuals to make informed choices and stay on track towards long term recovery. With the right strategies and tools, individuals can overcome the challenges of relapse, stay on the path to their committed efforts for recovery and heal from past pain and trauma leading to a more fulfilling life.

Developing healthy coping mechanisms and lifestyle changes

Developing healthy coping mechanisms and lifestyle changes is crucial for long-term sobriety. Mirmont Treatment Center focuses on empowering individuals to make positive changes that support their recovery journey.

Through various therapies and specialized processes, individuals learn how to cope with stress, cravings and warning signs in healthier ways. They also receive guidance on making lifestyle changes, such as incorporating regular exercise, practicing mindfulness and developing healthy boundaries in relationships. These strategies help individuals build a strong foundation for lasting sobriety and provide them with the tools they need to navigate challenges and maintain their recovery even when going through difficult life circumstances.

Building a support network for lasting recovery

Building a support network is vital for long-term recovery. Mirmont Treatment Center understands this and provides individuals with the tools to create a strong support system. From group therapy sessions to connecting individuals with support groups and community resources, Mirmont Treatment Center makes sure that individuals have the encouragement and understanding they need by empowering a strong peer connection.

"This support network offers a sense of belonging and helps individuals stay motivated and accountable," says Molavi.

By surrounding themselves with people who understand, connect and relate to their struggles, individuals can overcome challenges in knowing they're not alone. This helps them work through any guilt and shame, which helps to achieve lasting recovery.

Monitoring and evaluating progress in the relapse prevention program

Once individuals begin their journey in Mirmont Treatment Center's relapse prevention program, their progress is closely monitored and evaluated. This ensures that they receive the support and resources they need to maintain their sobriety. Daily group process, progress assessments and individual and family therapy sessions allow the program to adapt and evolve with each individual's needs.

"This personalized approach helps to identify the individualized progression of what takes someone from a strong investment in recovery back to their first usage, which allows us to develop very specific intervention and prevention skills. This will minimize the risk for repeated outcomes of relapse and increase outcomes of success," says Molavi.

Mirmont Treatment Center's approach to relapse prevention

Mirmont Treatment Center takes a unique approach to treating chronic relapse syndrome, incorporating stress management, holistic coping strategies and intensive therapy to help address the physical, mental and emotional aspects of substance use disorder. Our program uses a specific process under the Gorski-CENAPS® (an acronym for Center for Applied Sciences) Advanced Relapse Prevention therapy model, as well as effective trauma techniques and engagement in peer-to-peer support groups.

"We understand the difficulty in overcoming substance abuse disorder and are proud to offer our specialized relapse prevention program. Our program is truly unique and helps those individuals who have struggled to maintain long term sobriety in the past and require a different approach to treatment to help support a better outcome for their recovery process," says Molavi.

By providing personalized care plans, Mirmont Treatment Center empowers individuals to develop the skills and tools they need to stay sober. The center also emphasizes ongoing support and aftercare, recognizing that relapse prevention is an ongoing process. Mirmont Treatment Center offers the Gorski-focused Advanced Relapse Prevention Program throughout their full continuum of aftercare and hosts a 12-step relapse prevention virtual alumni meeting weekly to keep people engaged and committed throughout their early recovery process.

Next steps:

Schedule an intake at Mirmont Treatment Center
Learn more about relapse prevention at Mirmont Treatment Center
The connection between trauma and substance use