The balance in a person's life between external demands (things they "should" do) and activities that are fulfilling (things they "want" to do) relates to the amount of risk they will be at for relapse. Individuals who have lives full of external demands are more likely to experience stress and negative emotions, which may lead to a high-risk situation. Alternatively, they may develop the belief that they deserve to use an addictive substance, almost as a reward, after dealing with their external demands.

Lifestyle Factors that Contribute to Relapse

In the relapse prevention model, urges and cravings are thought to be caused by psychological or environmental stimuli. A person may be conditioned to experience an urge or craving when exposed to a stimuli which is associated with previous gratification. Alternatively, certain cognitive processes associated with previous gratification may lead to an urge or craving (such as remembering the positive effects of alcohol use). In both cases, these processes may increase the individual's vulnerability to high-risk situations, which may lead to relapse.

Urges and Cravings in the Relapse Prevention Model

Covert antecedents are less apparent factors that can contribute to a person's likelihood of relapsing. The two covert antecedents are:

- Lifestyle factors
- Urges and cravings

Villanova University

The relapse prevention model proposes that there are two types of factors that contribute to episodes of relapse. The two types are:

- Immediate determinants
- Covert antecedents

Factors that Contribute to Relapse

Larimer, M.E., Palmer, R.S., & Marlatt, G.A. (1999). Relapse prevention: An overview of Marlatt's cognitive behavioral model. Alcohol Research & Health, 23(2), 151-160. 

Relapse Prevention:  An Overview of Marlatt's Cognitive Behavioral Model

The four immediate determinants of relapse are:

- High risk situations
- Coping skills
- Outcome expectancy
- Abstinence Violation Effect

Learn Before

Related

Learn After