My Recovery Action Plan
A personal plan for coping skills, support, and motivation in recovery
My Recovery Action Plan
A personal plan for coping skills, support, and motivation in recovery
My Recovery Action Plan
A personal plan for coping skills, support, and motivation in recovery
A strong relapse prevention plan includes concrete coping strategies, a reliable support network, and clear awareness of both the costs of relapse and the benefits of continued recovery. Research on relapse prevention shows that structured relapse prevention programs lower the risk of returning to substance use (Irvin et al., 1999; Bowen et al., 2014), and in a study of people quitting smoking, those who made more specific coping plans were more likely to stay abstinent (Elfeddali et al., 2013). Use this worksheet to build your plan.
Complete each section thoughtfully. In the first column, identify the category. In the second column, provide your specific, personal responses. Review and update this plan regularly, especially during times of increased stress or vulnerability.
| Plan Category | My Plan Details |
|---|---|
References
- Bowen, S., Witkiewitz, K., Clifasefi, S. L., Grow, J., Chawla, N., Hsu, S. H., Carroll, H. A., Harrop, E., Collins, S. E., Lustyk, M. K., & Larimer, M. E. (2014). Relative efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention, standard relapse prevention, and treatment as usual for substance use disorders: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(5), 547-556. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.4546
- Elfeddali, I., Bolman, C., & de Vries, H. (2013). Situational and affective risk situations of relapse and the quality of implementation intentions in an e-health smoking relapse prevention programme. Substance Use & Misuse, 48(8), 635-644. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2013.800113
- Irvin, J. E., Bowers, C. A., Dunn, M. E., & Wang, M. C. (1999). Efficacy of relapse prevention: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(4), 563-570. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006x.67.4.563
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Common Questions
What is the My Recovery Action Plan worksheet?
A strong relapse prevention plan includes concrete coping strategies, a reliable support network, and clear awareness of both the costs of relapse and the benefits of continued recovery.
How do I use the My Recovery Action Plan worksheet?
Fill out this worksheet digitally or print it for use in session. You can save your progress with a Pro account. Take your time with each column — there are no right or wrong answers.
Is the My Recovery Action Plan worksheet free?
Yes. Like every worksheet on Therapy Resource, it is free to read, print, and download as a PDF, no account required. A Pro subscription adds online filling with saved progress, practice-branded PDF exports, and secure client sharing.
Can I fill out the My Recovery Action Plan worksheet online?
Yes. Switch the worksheet to "Type on Screen" mode to fill in the fields directly in your browser before printing. Pro members can also save their entries across sessions and export the completed worksheet as a branded PDF.
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