Delta Recovery Relapse Prevention

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

• “I’m doing better at recovery better than most people. No need to worry about anything.”
• “These worries are just signs of normal perfectionism, not real problems.”
• “If I admit these concerns, people will doubt how well I’m doing in my recovery.”

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

• “My recovery success speaks for itself – I don’t need to question it.”
• “I’m achieving recovery goals that others can’t even imagine.”
• “I know myself. I don’t need to dwell on these feelings.”

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

• “These are just minor obstacles that successful people always overcome.”
• “I can solve these problems faster than anyone expects if I just work harder.”
• “These setbacks are temporary and won’t affect my overall success in recovery.”

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

• “I can’t act until I’m sure my response will make me look competent and successful.”
• “If only the right opportunity would present itself, I could fix everything.”
• “I’m stuck because none of my usual strategies are working anymore.”

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

• “Nothing I do gets the recognition it deserves and it’s making me angry.”
• “I’m upset because people can’t see that what I’m doing is actually working.”
• “Everyone is sabotaging what I’ve worked so hard for and it’s really frustrating.”

Phase 6: Depression – Severe mood disruption affecting normal functioning

• “I’m a complete failure and everyone can see through my pretense of success.”
• “Nothing I accomplish matters because I’m fundamentally worthless.”
• “Recovery was supposed to make me more successful, but I know I’m still a loser.”

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

• “These recovery activities aren’t helping me accomplish anything meaningful.”
• “I don’t care about looking good in recovery when it’s not advancing my goals.”
• “I’m done with recovery. It isn’t making me successful or respected?”

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

• “I’m a complete fraud and everyone is gonna see me fail.”
• “Maybe I could use a little bit and still maintain my image.”
• “I’m lying about my how well I’m doing when I’m actually falling apart inside.”

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

• “I’m enraged that recovery has made me a failure instead of a success.”
• “The only options left are insanity, suicide, or using to escape this shame.”
• “I can’t face anyone in recovery who might see how badly I’ve failed.”

Phase 10: Acute Relapse Period – Complete functional breakdown

• “I can’t maintain my image anymore and everyone can see I’m a failure.”
• “My performance in every area of life is collapsing and I’m humiliated.”
• “Maybe using would help me feel competent and successful again.”

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

• “I’ll use strategically. I will actually help my image in recovery.”
• “If I can use moderately, I’ll prove I’m more successful than people who can’t use at all.”
• “This controlled use will show everybody that I can manage everything.”