Relapse Prevention

Description of the Strategy

Behavior therapists and clinical researchers have long recognized relapse prevention as an essential area of focus in the treatment of clinical problems. Relapse prevention strategies are defined as treatment procedures that aim to protect patients from the realistic threat that their clinical problems will recur or return to pretreatment levels. Behavior therapists historically have used the term relapse prevention vis-à-vis treatment of substance use problems, although this term also applies to a wide range of clinical problems, such as eating disorders, anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior, and sexual offending with some terminological modifications. For example, interventions for anxiety disorders include relapse prevention strategies that are designed to prevent what is frequently called renewal, reinstatement, or return of fear. Also, procedures ...