title: Taxonomy of high-risk situations for alcohol relapse: evolution and development of a cognitive-behavioral model.
abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide an historical overview of the development of the taxonomy of high-risk situations for relapse in patients receiving abstinence-based treatment for alcoholism. Research conducted during the 1970s on determinants of relapse is briefly reviewed, beginning with a preliminary analysis of relapse patterns in alcoholics treated with aversion therapy. Theoretical foundations underlying the development of the taxonomy are then discussed with an emphasis on social-learning theory and its implications for cognitive-behavioral interventions for relapse prevention. Findings supporting the efficacy of coping-skills training for high-risk relapse situations, based on a prospective treatment outcome study for inpatient alcoholics, are also presented in support of the clinical validity of the relapse model. The paper concludes with a description of the refined and extended taxonomy of high-risk situations and the associated cognitive-behavioral model of relapse described in the Marlatt & Gordon (1985) text on relapse prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-1525, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Marlatt
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001348:Aversive Therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012932:Social Facilitation