The dynamic model of relapse has generated enthusiasm among researchers and clinicians who have observed these processes in their data and their clients. Shiffman and colleagues describe stress coping where substance use is viewed as a coping response to life stress that can function to reduce negative affect or increase positive affect. Marlatt, based on clinical data, describes categories of relapse determinants which help in developing a detailed taxonomy of high-risk situations.

Attributions are made to try to resolve or justify the discrepancy. In this case, individuals try to explain to themselves why they violated their goal of abstinence. The abstinence violation effect refers to the negative cognitive and affective responses that an individual experiences after the return to substance abuse after a period of abstinence.

Disadvantages Of The Abstinence Model

This illustrates the issue of ambivalence experienced by many patients attempting to change an addictive behaviour. Motivational Interviewing provides a means of facilitating the change process7. A high-risk situation is defined as a circumstance in which an individual’s attempt to refrain from a particular behaviour is threatened.

In high-risk situations, the person expects alcohol to help him or her cope with negative emotions or conflict (i.e. when drinking serves as “self-medication”). Expectancies are the result of both direct and indirect (e.g. perception of the drug from peers and media) experiences3. Although high-risk situations can be conceptualized as the immediate determinants of relapse episodes, a number of less obvious factors also influence the relapse process.

11.4.2 Cognitive Behavioral Models

A single lapse does not have to result in a downward spiral of additional lapses and prolonged relapse, and a significant period of relapse does not have to culminate in a lifelong powerlessness over addictive behavior. Although abstinence from all substances is an excellent recovery goal for some, research consistently shows that many people who resolve alcohol and drug problems follow a path of moderation. Furthermore, the use of FDA-approved medications (which not all clients will view as “abstinence”) has been shown to produce the best health and recovery outcomes for people with opioid use disorders. Although there may be practical reasons for your client to choose abstinence as a goal (e.g., being on probation), it is inaccurate to characterize abstinence-based recovery as the only path to wellness.

A good treatment program should explain the difference between a lapse and relapse. It should also teach a person how to stop the progression from a lapse into relapse. This model notes that those who have the latter mindset are proactive and strive abstinence violation effect to learn from their mistakes. To do so, they adapt their coping strategies to better deal with future triggers should they arise. This protects their sobriety and enhances their ability to protect themselves from future threats of relapse.

Urge management techniques

Interpersonal relationships and support systems are highly influenced by intrapersonal processes such as emotion, coping, and expectancies18. Providing lapse management if a lapse occurs such that further relapses can be prevented4. 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous have been helping people for a long time. In these settings, you’ll at least have the company of others on a similar journey. This is why many individuals what is abstinence violation effect who have been abstinent (or «clean») for awhile accidentally overdose by starting to use again at the same level of use they were at before their abstinence period.

People in addiction recovery often experience drug cravings when they go through stress. Addiction rewires the brain to consider drug use an important source of reward. When you are feeling overwhelmed, your brain may unconsciously crave drugs as a way to help you feel better. But you may have the thought that you need the drug or alcohol to help get you through the tough situation. Unconscious cravings may turn into the conscious thought that it is the only way you can cope with your current situation. In other words, abstinence violation effects make a single lapse much more likely to turn into a full return to a full relapse into negative behavioral or mental health symptoms.

Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, Being

These covert antecedents include lifestyle factors, such as overall stress level, one’s temperament and personality, as well as cognitive factors. These may serve to set up a relapse, for example, using rationalization, denial, or a desire for immediate gratification. Lifestyle factors have been proposed as the covert antecedents most strongly related to the risk of relapse. It involves the degree of balance in the person’s life between perceived external demands and internally fulfilling or enjoyable activities.