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Taxonomy of high‐risk situations for alcohol relapse: evolution and development of a
Author(s) -
Marlatt G. Alan
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1046/j.1360-0443.91.12s1.15.x
Subject(s) - relapse prevention , abstinence , psychology , psychological intervention , clinical psychology , cognition , coping (psychology) , psychotherapist , psychiatry
The purpose of this paper is to provide an historical overview of the development of the taxonomy of high‐risk situations for relapse in patients receiving abstinence‐based treatment for alcoholism. Research conducted during the 1970s on determinants of relapse is briefly reviewed, beginning with a preliminary analysis of relapse patterns in alcoholics treated with aversion therapy. Theoretical foundations underlying the development of the taxonomy are then discussed with an emphasis on social‐learning theory and its implications for cognitive‐behavioral interventions for relapse prevention. Findings supporting the efficacy of coping‐skills training for high‐risk relapse situations, based on a prospective treatment outcome study for inpatient alcoholics, are also presented in support of the clinical validity of the relapse model. The paper concludes with a description of the refined and extended taxonomy of high‐risk situations and the associated cognitive‐behavioral model of relapse described in the Marlatt & Gordon (1985) text on relapse prevention.