Nine basic principles that underlie the Cenaps relapse prevention planning process are described. Each principle is complemented with a procedure or clinical technique that can be used to operationalize that principle with patients: the first principle of self-regulation is operationalized with a procedure for physical, psychological, and social stabilization; the second principle of integration is operationalized by the technique of self-assessment; the third principle of understanding is operationalized by a relapse education procedure; the fourth principle of self-knowledge is operationalized with a procedure of relapse warning-sign identification; the fifth principle of coping skills is operationalized through a procedure of warning-sign management; the sixth principle of change is operationalized in a procedure for reviewing the recovery plan; the seventh principle of awareness is operationalized by a procedure of inventory training; the eighth principle of support is operationalized by the involvement of significant others; and the ninth principle is maintenance, which is operationalized by a comprehensive follow-up plan.