Alcohol problems, treatment and relapse

Nielsen, P. (1992). Alcohol problems, treatment and relapse—a qualitative study of psychological processes involved in relapse after treatment in a group of alcoholics. Nordisk Psykologi, 44, 161–172. The cognitive variables involved in relapse after treatment for alcoholism were investigated in a follow-up study of 20 alcoholics. It is argued that relapse occurs in idiosyncratic high-risk situations that are identical before and after treatment and that positive alcohol-related expectancies and inadequate coping strategies elevate the risk of relapse. The majority of the investigated group experienced drinking episodes after treatment. Within the six month follow-up period eight subjects experienced total relapse, five relapsed partially, and seven only experienced minor slips and showed a marked improvement of control over alcohol. The empirical findings are discussed in relation to social learning and cognitive theories of addictive behaviors.