Unfortunately addiction, similar to many illnesses, is a relapsing illness.  Although many people enjoy uninterrupted sobriety others relapse.  There are many reasons for this and it is important to look at the individual case rather than label everybody the same. For this reason those who have undertaken a 12 Step treatment programme in the past 12 months

are not blindly put back into the same programme to repeat the same work, some of which is probably still fresh in their minds. Each patient is assessed and a treatment plan put together looking at what areas of the programme need to be repeated and where they need to concentrate to avoid any further relapses.

Nova Vida has a purpose written programme for individuals who have relapsed which includes detoxification if necessary, a review of the work done in treatment before the relapse, a series of individual assignments designed to look at the triggers, thoughts, feelings and behaviours behind the relapse and, for those whose home environment is riddled with triggers and who can commit to a full 32 day treatment episode, Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy which is proven to be of immense help for those who struggle to remain clean and sober.  This therapy is research based and dovetails neatly into the rest of the relapse programme and, as far as we are aware, Nova Vida is the only treatment programme in Europe which has a licensed therapist to deliver this therapy.

The specific Relapse Prevention Programme is integrated within the full group therapy programme in order to obtain the benefit of the ‘talking therapies’ and the psycho-educational lectures and workshops as well as the proven benefits of peer support. Much can be learned from sharing with newcomers who are in treatment for the first time.