The four immediate determinants of relapse are:

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

Immediate Determinants of Relapse

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

Covert Antecedents of Relapse

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

Villanova University

The relapse prevention model assumes the belief that it is normal for individuals who are recovering from an addiction to return to their old behavior at some point after treatment. Clients are encouraged to view a relapse as an opportunity to learn better coping skills. 

Relapse Prevention Model

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

Factors that Contribute to Relapse

As the relapse prevention model discusses, many individuals recovering from addiction return to their behavior at some point during/after treatment. Researchers have begun to look at this idea of relapse and relapse prevention from a neuroscience perspective. This perspective could help further the understanding of why, on a brain level, individuals relapse and how we could possibly help. There is not a large consensus yet, but the research is looking at many factors including pathways, styles, and stages of recovery, as well as the possibility of reversing or diminishing the brain dysregulation that results from addiction.

Neuroscience approach to relapse and relapse prevention

There are multiple intervention strategies included in the Relapse Prevention model that are designed to help a person through the steps of relapse. These strategies fall into 2 categories:

- Specific intervention strategies, designed to focus on the immediate determinants of relapse
- Global lifestyle self-control strategies, designed to target the covert antecedents of relapse

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