Delta Recovery Relapse Prevention

Phase 1: Return of Denial – Inability to recognize and honestly communicate thoughts/feelings

• “Everyone says recovery is going well, so I shouldn’t worry about these doubts.”
• “These anxious thoughts are probably just my normal overthinking.”
• “If I voice these concerns, people might think I’m not committed to recovery.”

Phase 2: Avoidance and Defensive Behavior – Avoiding anything that triggers uncomfortable emotions

• “My sponsor says I’m doing well, so I don’t need to question anything.”
• “These other people in recovery seem less committed to following the program correctly.”
• “If I start doubting my recovery, it will just create problems where none exist.”

Phase 3: Crisis Building – Life problems accumulate due to denial and isolation

• “These problems prove that recovery is more dangerous than I thought.”
• “I need to find the right authority or expert who can tell me what to do.”
• “Everything feels uncertain, and I don’t trust my own judgment about ways to fix it.”

Phase 4: Immobilization – Complete inability to initiate action, controlled by circumstances

• “I can’t make decisions because I don’t know who or what to trust anymore.”
• “If only I had clear guidance from a reliable authority, I could move forward.”
• “I’m anxious about making the wrong choice and ruining everything. It’s paralyzing.”

Phase 5: Confusion and Overreaction – Impaired thinking and emotional volatility

• “Everything feels dangerous and unpredictable, and it’s making me panic.”
• “I can’t think straight because threats seem to be coming from everywhere.”
• “People give conflicting advice and I don’t know who to trust anymore.”

Phase 6: Depression – Severe mood disruption affecting normal functioning

• “Recovery has failed and I have no support system left to trust.”
• “Everything is falling apart and there’s no safe place left in the world.”
• “I’m completely abandoned and vulnerable with no one to protect me.”

Phase 7: Behavioral Loss of Control – Inability to maintain recovery behaviors

• “I can’t trust any of these people or programs to actually help me.”
• “I don’t care about following advice when everyone says different things.”
• “Why should I commit to anything when every authority disappoints me?”

Phase 8: Recognition of Loss of Control – Denial breaks, awareness of powerlessness emerges

• “Everyone has abandoned me, and I have no support left.”
• “Maybe substances would help me feel secure and calm again.”
• “I’m lying about being fine when I’m actually terrified and completely alone.”

Phase 9: Option Reduction – Only three perceived options: insanity, suicide, or substance use

• “I’m terrified and angry that everyone has betrayed and abandoned me.”
• “The only options left are going insane, suicide, or using to feel safe again.”
• “I can’t trust anyone in recovery because they all eventually let me down.”

Phase 10: Acute Relapse Period – Complete functional breakdown

• “I can’t handle the anxiety, and everything feels like a threat.”
• “I’m so exhausted from constantly worrying that I can’t function like a normal person.”
• “Maybe substances would help me feel safe and calm again.”

Phase 11: Return to Active Addiction – Actual resumption of substance use

• • “I’ll use carefully according to expert advice about controlled drinking/using.”
  • “If authorities say some people can moderate, maybe I can follow those guidelines.”
  • “This supervised approach to use will help me feel more secure about recovery.”