ABSTRACT
Marlatt (1988) asks how we are to handle clients who have “failed” to change or who experience setbacks and relapses in the posttreatment phase. He also asserts that “analysis of various determinants of relapse may provide clinicians and clients with a guide to changes that may be necessary” (p. 480). Wallace (1989a) follows Marlatt (1985, 1988) in an analysis and assessment of relapse episodes, producing invaluable insight into the multideterminants of relapse for crack smokers. Wallace states that clinicians can use the results of microanalysis of relapse episodes in guiding compulsive crack-cocaine smokers to make the changes that may be necessary to avoid a future relapse. Marlatt (1985) poses the question, “Is it possible to prepare persons in treatment to anticipate the likelihood of a relapse, so that they may engage in preventive alternative behavior?” (p. 33). Toward this end, this chapter offers a model of relapse prevention that does prepare patients to anticipate the likelihood of relapse while in inpatient treatment, so that they can engage in preventive alternative behavior. A detailed description of 29 interventions that make up an arsenal of relapse-prevention strategies permits treatment professionals to expand the range of their clinical tools.
