This study investigates the influence of coping on the outcome of a re
lapse crisis for a sample of 125 treated alcoholics during the first 1
2 weeks following treatment completion. Both number and type of coping
responses were examined Results indicated that survival of a relapse
crisis was most strongly related to the number of coping strategies us
ed. Termination of a drinking episode was also related to number of co
ping responses. In addition, the type of coping strategy influenced su
rvival, with the exclusive use of active coping strategies significant
ly associated with abstinence outcome compared with the exclusive use
of avoidant strategies. Combining active and avoidant strategies appea
red to be most effective for terminating a drinking episode. Results a
re discussed in the context of the cognitive-behavioral model of relap
se, the general literature on coping behavior and the findings of othe
r relapse studies.