title: Maintaining sobriety: stopping is starting.
abstract: Treatment of alcohol problems typically focuses on the cessation of drinking. Although cessation is necessary and important to achieving sobriety, this article suggests that maintenance of sobriety is a crucial, but oft ignored, component of effective treatment. Alcohol relapse is discussed in the context of aftercare treatment employing a relapse prevention approach. Within this model, relapse is not automatically defined as a treatment failure but as an opportunity for intervention and the interruption of the relapse process. Determinants and predictors of relapse are discussed, and assessment and intervention strategies provided. A case study illustrates the components of the relapse process and the interventions employed to maintain continued sobriety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Marlatt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support