ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the theoretical and empirical background for relapse and relapse prevention and describes a new dynamic model of relapse. It explores relapse prevention for treating psychological disorders and explains the theoretical and empirical background for mindfulness-based relapse prevention. The chapter analyses a clinical strategies to reduce the risk of relapse. The challenge of defining relapse given the inherent complexity of behavioural change process is well documented. Relapse prevention has been used to describe a theoretical framework and to offer an umbrella term for a collection of cognitive behavioural intervention strategies designed to prevent lapse and relapse among individuals with addictive behaviour problems. Relapse prevention skills include teaching individuals how to identify and manage external and internal triggers. Relapse as the returning to symptomatic behaviour after a period of remission, is a common outcome following treatment of substance use and other psychological problems.
