Relapse Prevention: An Overview of Marlatts Cognitive-Behavioral Model Leave a comment

A relapse is the result of a series of events that occur over time, according to psychologist and researcher Alan Marlatt, Ph.D. Our 2025 review explores Brightside’s pricing, therapist and psychiatric support, and real user reviews—plus how it compares to BetterHelp and Talkspace. The specific opioid involved, the dosage, and the individual’s opioid use history can influence the length of the detox process.

• A key feature of the dynamic model is its emphasis on the complex interplay between tonic and phasic processes.
• In the 1970s, the pioneering work of a small number of alcohol researchers began to challenge the existing abstinence-based paradigm in AUD treatment research.
• A mindset shift caused by triggers or stress may lead you to take that drink or start using drugs again.

A Good Treatment Program Can Help You To Avoid The Abstinence Violation Effect

Behavioral health refers to the connection between a person’s behaviors and the health and well-being of their mind and body. Therefore, behavioral health services are designed to promote mental health and well-being, prevent and treat mental health disorders and substance abuse issues, and provide support and care to those affected. Relapse Prevention (RP) is another well-studied model used in both AUD and DUD treatment (Marlatt & Gordon, 1985). In its original form, RP aims to reduce risk of relapse by teaching participants cognitive and behavioral skills for coping in high-risk situations (Marlatt & Gordon, 1985). More recent versions of RP have included mindfulness-based techniques (Bowen, Chawla, & Marlatt, 2010; Witkiewitz et al., 2014).

Theoretical and Practical Support for the RP Model

He is a member of over a dozen professional medical associations and in his free time enjoys a number of different activities. Although now retired from racing, was a member of the what is alcoholism International Motor Sports Association and Sports Car Club of America. Dr. Bishop is also a certified open water scuba diver, he enjoys fishing, traveling, and hunting. Brie graduated as a high school valedictorian with a major in Health Technologies and continued her studies at Springfield Technical Community College with a focus on healthcare. She served in Operations and HR for a finance company for ten years, before returning to healthcare and eventually arriving at USR. Laurel, as the Director of Corporate Compliance for USR, is responsible for ensuring that the facility follows all federal and state regulatory requirements, accreditation standards and industry best practices.

Medical Director, Board Certified in Addiction Medicine

When addressed proactively through cognitive-behavioral therapy, clients can reduce the intensity of shame and regain control more quickly. Recovery programs often teach individuals to expect occasional slips and respond with self-forgiveness, support-seeking, and recommitment. AVE is a critical concept for anyone navigating sobriety, and recognizing it can prevent a temporary mistake from becoming a long-term setback. The current review highlights a notable gap in research empirically evaluating the effectiveness of nonabstinence approaches for DUD treatment. While multiple harm reduction-focused treatments for AUD have strong empirical support, there is very little research testing models of nonabstinence treatment for drug use. Despite compatibility with harm reduction in established SUD abstinence violation effect treatment models such as MI and RP, there is a dearth of evidence testing these as standalone treatments for helping patients achieve nonabstinence goals; this is especially true regarding DUD (vs. AUD).

Continued empirical evaluation of the RP model

Consistent with the broader literature, it can be anticipated that most genetic associations with relapse outcomes will be small in magnitude and potentially difficult to replicate. It is inevitable that the next decade will see exponential growth in this area, including greater use of genome-wide analyses of treatment response 109 and efforts to evaluate the clinical utility and cost effectiveness of tailoring treatments based on pharmacogenetics. Finally, an intriguing direction is to evaluate whether providing clients with personalized genetic information can facilitate reductions in substance use or improve treatment adherence 110,111. The cognitive-behavioral model of the relapse process posits a central role for high-risk situations and for the drinker’s response to those situations.

4. Consequences of abstinence-only treatment

For example, one could imagine a situation whereby a client who is relatively committed to abstinence from alcohol encounters a neighbor who invites the client into his home for a drink. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the offer the client might experience a slight decrease in self-efficacy, which cascades into positive outcome expectancies about the potential effects of having a drink as well as feelings of shame or guilt about saying no to his neighbor’s offer. Importantly, this client might not have ever considered such an invitation as a high-risk situation, yet various contextual factors may interact to predict a lapse. Efforts to develop, test and refine theoretical models are critical to enhancing the understanding and prevention of relapse 1,2,14.

• Laurel, as the Director of Corporate Compliance for USR, is responsible for ensuring that the facility follows all federal and state regulatory requirements, accreditation standards and industry best practices.
• In conclusion, behavioral health services are critical to promoting mental health and well-being, preventing and treating mental health disorders and substance abuse issues, and providing support and care to those affected.
• Another technique is that the road to abstinence is broken down to smaller achievable targets so that client can easily master the task enhancing self-efficacy.
• Looking back does have its benefits in that it helps us identify weaknesses in our program.
• Whereas tonic processes may dictate initial susceptibility to relapse, its occurrence is determined largely by phasic responses–proximal or transient factors that serve to actuate (or prevent) a lapse.

For someone in the throws of an eating disorder (or even in eating disorder recovery), a perceived lapse in their prescribed eating plan or body image goals can trigger intense feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame. This can create a cycle of negative emotions that may lead to further restrictive behaviors, binge eating, or other harmful coping mechanisms. Does it mean a person must continue to drink or drug until the use returns to the initial level? You have not unchanged all that you have changed in your life to support your recovery. One of the biggest problems with the AVE is that periods of abstinence from opioids increase a person’s risk of overdose and today’s heroin is often tainted with super-potent fentanyl analogs. Because of heightened overdose risk, treatment providers can offer naloxone and overdose prevention training to all clients, even those whose “drug of choice” does not include opioids.

Irrespective of study design, greater integration of distal and proximal variables will aid in modeling the interplay of tonic and phasic influences on relapse outcomes. As was the case for Marlatt’s original RP model, efforts are needed to systematically evaluate specific theoretical components of the reformulated model 1. John’s key responsibilities include maintaining the day-to-day operations from both a clinical and housing perspective. John’s goal is to monitor every department to ensure proper policies and procedures are in place and client care is carried out effortlessly. John joined Amethyst as a behavioral health technician where he quickly developed strong personal relationships with the clients through support and guidance.