Why a Relapse Clock?

 

In May 2023, whilst working on a collaborative project with a group of clients at a local rehabilitation centre, I introduced the concept of a ‘clock’ as way of understanding relapse, which we then explored further.

 

This website introduces the concept of the Relapse Clock and includes my original article (published by the BACP 2024), which guides us through the process of building the clock.

 

To better inform you of the world of addiction, I have included first-hand accounts from: a clinical lead at a rehab centre, a recovering addict, a mother whose only son died from addiction and a story from a recovering addict who relapsed shortly after leaving rehab. (All names have been changed for confidentiality purposes).

 

You can download black and white or coloured versions of Relapse Clock worksheets for free and these can be used with clients, key-workers and by rehabilitation centres.

 

I understand that developing the clock was subjective to our group’s specific thoughts and ideas and I have therefore produced some blank worksheets that can be customised to particular work you might be carrying out with your own clients.  

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The Relapse Clock has effectively emerged from CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and can be adapted for various other mental health conditions. The Clock is a fresh way of looking at the process of relapse and the journey that many addicts travel as they seek to find ways to begin the process of recovery.  For most this is a lifelong process, not at all straight-forward, but complex. Suffice to say, all those who have suffered from addictions will either consider their situation to be that of a disease model (the Twelve Step Programme) or, as others have suggested, that addiction is part of the way we manage emotional pain of the past and present (Garbo Mate).