RelapsePreventionAnsätze

Relapse prevention is a set of therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the risk of returning to substance use or another problematic behavior. Rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy, relapse prevention was developed in the 1980s by Marlatt and Gordon and treats relapse as a process that can be anticipated and managed rather than as a single event. The focus is on proactive planning, coping skills, and ongoing maintenance.

A central idea is that lapses can occur without a full relapse if individuals respond effectively to high-risk situations and cravings. Risk factors include negative mood, stress, social pressure, and environmental cues; protective factors include self-efficacy, problem-solving ability, social support, and stable routines.

Core strategies include coping skills training, urge management or "urge surfing," cognitive restructuring, planning for high-risk scenarios, and relapse-crisis planning. Programs often incorporate lifestyle changes, sleep and nutrition management, and aftercare to support long-term change.

Relapse prevention is delivered in individual or group formats and is integrated into broader treatment for substance use disorders and other behavioral addictions. In some contexts, programs or digital tools marketed under names like RelapsePrevent apply these principles. Pharmacotherapy can complement relapse prevention when appropriate, and ongoing follow-up enhances outcomes.

Evidence supports relapse prevention as a beneficial component of treatment, especially when combined with comprehensive care. Effectiveness varies with diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, and adherence, and relapse remains a possibility even with preventive strategies.