RELAPSE PREVENTION MODELS FOR SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TREATMENT

Relapse prevention (RP) techniques have been integrated into numerous aspects of substance abuse treatment and research. One of the most pro mising uses of RP techniques is to provide a conceptual framework for the delivery of outpatient drug-free substance abuse treatment. A numb er of writers and researchers have produced models of treatment using RP principles as the central philosophy and methodology. Several write rs have created descriptive models which outline clinical recommendati ons on the uses of RP methods for substance abuse treatment. A number of researchers have created drug specific protocols which have allowed for the evaluation of specific RP methodologies with specific clinica l populations. A third set of clinical researchers have combined RP te chniques with other types of treatment materials to create integrated outpatient models of treatment. These models provide the field of subs tance abuse treatment with a clear framework for delivering outpatient substance abuse treatment. They are structured in such a way as to pr omote replication and evaluation. The development of this set of model s allows for the systematic advancement of outpatient drug-free substa nce abuse treatment.