Relapse Potential

Relapse Prevention with Drug Treatment 

             Relapse prevention is an extremely common occurrence in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. This study says that when people enter a rehabilitation center it is usually automatically assumed that they will relapse at some point as a result of the pessimism and negativity that surrounds treatment. This is dangerous because if they go in with that mentality then there is a much smaller chance that they will benefit from the rehabilitation and treatment facility. The mentality that those with SUD’s will always relapse stems from the idea that if you begin drinking you will choose not to stop, rather than the disease model that later came about as a result of studying the crippling effects that substances can have on someone. This article shows the importance of observing and understanding the relapse potential of the person before they enter a treatment facility. By knowing their relapse potential and working through that and the triggers that surround that there will be a much smaller chance of relapse for individuals in treatment programs.

            This study implies that most have a negative view of those suffering from Substance abuse disorders. It says throughout the article that those with addictions are viewed in a negative light so when they go to rehabilitation or treatment centers they are already expected to fail because of the social stigma that has been already placed on them.  This study also implies that having a more positive and encouraging attitude to those going into rehabilitation programs will benefit them throughout it because they will be uplifted to continue and overcome the disorder rather than be expected to fail and relapse.

            The most common limitation throughout this study is that only Alcoholism was studied. Though this is a common area of addiction, and one of the most common SUD’s that leads to relapse, it would help to see the occurrence of relapse in drug addictions, as well. By studying and comparing alcoholism and drug abuse you would be able to get a better idea of the broad spectrum between the addictions and the differences in relapse potential between the both of them.

Donovan, D., & Witkiewitz, K. (2012). Relapse prevention: From radical idea to common practice. Addiction Research & Theory, 20(3), 204-217. doi:10.3109/16066359.2011.647133

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