Supporting recovery: Preventing relapse

Course overview:

Based on the latest research in recovery from problematic drug and alcohol use, this course offers a clear map of the recovery processes and space to practise key skills to address the risk of relapse.

Drawing on social learning theory and practical examples, participants explore models and techniques to assess the critical risk factors for individual clients, and build individualised recovery and relapse management plans to support clients through each phase of their recovery.

Aim(s):

The course will offer participants a chance to explore, understand and practice key skills in addressing the risk of relapse into substance misuse using models and techniques based on social learning theory.

Objectives:

By the end of the course participants will have had opportunities to:

Define recovery
Practice key skills to support clients in the early stages of recovery
Assess the critical risk factors for individual clients
Build a recovery plan with clients
Develop individualised relapse management plans

Maximum group size: 16

Online course - delivered over Zoom.

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Your trainer(s)

Phil Harris

Phil Harris has worked in the drug misuse, mental health and homeless field for over 30 years as a practitioner, trainer and manager. He has managed a wide range of teams including family services, young people, dual diagnosis & personality disorders and substance misuse.

He is a visiting lecturer at a number of universities and was advisor to the US BICEP programme. He was also an advisor for the World Health Organisation in the Balkans region. He has designed treatment services across the UK for both addictions, young people and mental health, pioneering new approaches which have set new benchmarks for treatment outcomes.

He has written over 20 scholarly articles on effective practice and has published five books on substance misuse, treatment effectiveness, family and young people with complex needs.

What people say

"Practical skills on ways to cope with cravings, the chain analysis over why people relapse and understanding how the brain works with addiction. Regular breaks really helped as the meeting was remote. I liked the live writing and white board aspect of Zoom. There were not too many break out rooms. The group was small so we were able to ask questions. Phil was great and very knowledgeable."

Clinical Nurse Specialist, March 2025

"Extremely beneficial training, it's made me feel more passionate about the service we deliver. Phil was excellent at delivering training today. I don't think there could be any improvements. I found today engaging and fast paced enough to keep me motivated."

Course participant, January 2025

"Lots of practical tools to work with clients. Lots of break out and discussion and worked examples. Going forward I will help support staff to do relapse prevention plans/refusal skills."

Service Manager, ARA, November 2021

"Learning about supporting cravings and urges with the thought substitutions and looking at the build up to lapse that was given in the handout. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience Phil. I always find this extremely useful and able to bring into my practice."

Substance Misuse Nurse, Combat Stress, November 2021

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