I’m taking a Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention.

Truly, the treatments and support that has been developed around drugs and alcohol has evolved way beyond anything for eating disorders, which is both sad and inspiring.

For example, sober companions. The support that exists in keeping people clean, who have decided they don’t want to drink or do drugs anymore, is phenomenal. You can hire someone (or sometimes find them for free) to accompany you to make sure you get to the next AA or NA or meeting. There are coordinators who find you residential care, transitional housing, hand you off to the next person to supervise you so you can get to your next meeting, watch you on your job, etc.–they are ON YOUR FUCKING ASS to make sure you don’t start drinking or doing drugs on your watch. This is so fing beautiful.

Unfortunately, maybe because eating disorders aren’t taken that seriously, these sorts of services don’t really exist for people who are scared they are going to binge. So many times I have wished I had “food sober” companions or wished I had people to be with me all the time or that I could be locked up.

Anyway, that is a bit of a tangent on how alcohol and drug support services are more extensive than for eating disorders.

Is mindfulness-based relapse prevention a good phrase? I definitely appreciate mindfulness being woven in. I certainly align with Marlatt & Bowen’s mindfulness-based view more than Gorski’s or any other view. The other part of the phrase “relapse prevention” is another part worthy of exploration, as relapse can be a demoralizing term. What is relapse, anyway? Others have renamed “relapse prevention” into “recovery protection” which I feel is a wonderful, affirming way to say the same thing but in a positive way instead of in a negative way. I have also heard “relapse” called “rediscovery.”

As I continue my certification in Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, I will share if I feel anything stands out. <3K