Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention

Why use a mind/body approach for relapse prevention?

- Mind-body approaches recognise the individuals innate healing abilities.      

- Life’s challenges always provide the opportunity for personal growth and transformation.    

- Mindfulness practice enables a re-evaluation of lifestyle imbalances while deepening and strengthening overall coping skills.                                  

- Developing awareness of present moment experience helps us to step out of habitual ‘reactivity’ and into a more ‘responsive’ approach to life.

What is Relapse Prevention Therapy?

A cognitive-behavioural approach that assumes addictive behaviours are learned behaviours. RPT focuses upon the awareness of triggers for addictive behaviours such as urges, cravings, interpersonal conflict, social pressure and negative emotional states (including depression and anxiety).

What is mindfulness?

- Develops a spacious awareness of the present moment.

- Develops a curious, non-judgemental acceptance of present moment experience.

- Promotes awareness of the transient nature of experience and allows us to let go of  the need to control what comes next – non-striving.

- Being more present frees us from rigid attitudes, cognitions and behaviours, therefore lowering reactivity to events.

Participants who complete a Mindfulness- based programme notice:

-Decreased physical and psychological symptoms.

-Increased ability to cope with stressful situations.

-Improved self-esteem.

-Greater enthusiasm for life and more energy.

-Knowing how to take better care of themselves.

-Make healthy lifestyle changes.

-Participants who have completed state that they have drawn something of lasting value from the programme. 
 

The Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention programme comprises 10 x 2.5 hour sessions and will explore the following:

-Education and information about relapse stressors and choices.

-Awareness of automatic pilot

-Connection between Mind, Body and Feeling.

-Balancing acceptance and skilful action.

-Exploring the reality that thoughts are not facts.

-Attitudes to life experience.

-Learning to take care of and develop a compassionate relationship with self.

-Evaluation, maintenance and the use of Mindfulness in everyday life.


Gwellheans will be working in partnership with Addaction/CADA to provide the Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention programme. 

The pilot was funded with the support of the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales.