b'Offering hope for a new life in Christ filled with lasting and eternal purpose is at the core of the transformation process. It enables us to pivot our clients focus from the old patterns they must abandon toward hope for a better futurea future worth fighting for.Traumainformed careof overdose. These educational components A nother key area of training for staff andhelp clients learn the facts while normalizing the volunteers that can bolster retentionpractice of talking about triggers, cravings, and and contribute to relapse preventionrelapse within a safe and stable environment.is trauma-informed care. Post-traumatic stressProgramming should also collaboratively disorder (PTSD) can increase the prevalence andbuild action plans that clients can follow when acuteness of triggers or cravings post-treatmenttriggers or cravings occurutilizing if left unaddressed during the recovery process.replacement skills, community support, and Training staff and volunteers to recognize thestructured schedules. An overarching goal of symptoms of PTSD in clients and refer themrelapse education and prevention should focus to appropriate treatment services can greatlyon increasing the likelihood that clients will increase positive outcomes. Two groups thatreach out to their support network and turn to often benefit from PTSD treatment are veteranshealthy choices when confronted with triggers and persons who have experienced abuse. and cravings.Relapse education andPreparing for reentry: culture normalizing difficult emotionsshock and community support T he simplest relapse prevention techniqueA s clients prepare to transition out of a is to open up a dialogue about the topic inrecovery program, it is vital that you general. Many individuals with SUD haveprepare them for reentry to the larger either personally experienced a relapse/overdosesociety. If a client is moving from a residential pro-or know someone who has. Avoiding the topicgram to independent living, for example, theyll only builds fear, grief, anxiety, or toxic shameneed to prepare for feelings of anxiety, loss, or regarding those events. Talking about relapse anddisorientation after an initial honeymoon period. sharing difficult emotions allows clients to learnThis is quite similar to feelings of culture shock. to process their thoughts and feelings healthily. Reentering society sober can feel foreign A great way to start these conversations is to(especially during that first year), and weathering provide quality educational materials that discussthat transition requires new skills, community the addictive cycle from a biblical perspective,support, and the ability to manage difficult emo-including talking about relapse and the dangerstions. The key to success here is to connect \x02 26 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022'