NCJ Number
180265
Editor(s)
Edward J. Latessa Ph.D.
Date Published
1999
Length
73 pages
Annotation
This paper provides an overview of a cognitive-behavioral model of substance abuse relapse prevention that is being used in treatment programs for substance-abusing offenders throughout the United States and Canada.
Abstract
The paper begins with a brief analysis of the harmful consequences of addictive behaviors and criminal conduct. Examples of these behaviors are presented along with some of their defining characteristics and potential interactions. The paper continues with a description and analysis of alternative conceptual models of addictive behaviors, with emphasis on relapse and the implications of these conceptual models for substance abuse treatment and relapse prevention. Following the discussion of conceptual models, a cognitive-behavioral approach to addictive behaviors and relapse is described, including issues related to stages of change and the authors' general approach to working with clients. The paper then presents an overview of the cognitive-behavioral model on relapse prevention developed over the past 20 years by Marlatt and his colleagues (Marlatt, 1978, 1979; Marlatt and Gordon, 1980; Marlatt, 1982; Marlatt and Parks, 1082; Marlatt and George, 1984; Marlatt and Gordon, 1985). In presenting the relapse prevention model, the paper refers to criminal conduct and addictive behaviors, because both relapse to addictive behaviors and recidivism to criminal conduct are problems in the maintenance of behavioral change. The next section of the paper focuses on cognitive behavioral relapse prevention interventions divided into two categories: specific relapse prevention intervention strategies and global relapse prevention intervention strategies. The final section of the paper describes four correctional substance abuse treatment programs that use a cognitive behavioral approach incorporating relapse prevention therapy protocols. 10 figures, 3 tables, and 106 references