John was feeling strong in his recovery and felt like he understood his past gambling behavior better. Then he stopped going to a few meetings a week and just went to one. He felt like he was ‘working the program’ and doing everything right. John was a regular member of Gamblers Anonymous for years. But let’s be clear: Relapse can happen to anyone in recovery from a gambling problem whether they have been in recovery for a week or for 30 years. Studies indicate that the highest risk of relapse is often within the first 3 months of recovery. Learning about relapse prevention is important for those of us with gambling disorders, those who love us and those who treat us.

An understanding of relapse prevention, and the development of a relapse prevention plan is among these tools and is a good start toward maintaining recovery. There are many tools someone in recovery from gambling can have in their recovery tool box. By Jodie Nealley, Intervention and Recovery Support Coordinator, Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

How to resist urge to gamble