Cenaps Model

The CENAPS Model of relapse prevention provides a theoretical understanding of factors that contribute to substance dependence, as well as principles that guide treatment interventions of substance dependent individuals. The CENAPS Model has been under construction since the 1970s. This model includes theoretical as well as clinical practice elements from Alcoholics Anonymous and the Minnesota model of treatment. The model also integrates a number of educational materials, clinical procedures, and self-help methods that permit patients and clinicians to utilize theoretical principles to help patients achieve and maintain recovery.

Within the CENAPS Model of relapse prevention, substance dependence is conceptualized to consist of biopsychosocial influences, with significant contributing factors derived from biological, psychological, and social domains. Treatment is thus engineered to target dysfunction in each of these areas. Treatment is separated into three stages; within each of these stages, a focus is maintained on identification and treatment of biological, psychological, and social dysfunction. Stages of treatment include programs for assessment and stabilization, recovery planning, and relapse prevention planning.

Patients are categorized by their history of recovery within the CENAPS Model of relapse prevention. According to the model, patients who are in recovery can be classified as being recovery prone or relapse prone. Those who are relapse prone can be further subdivided into patients who are either motivated or unmotivated. Those who are unmotivated are unwilling to acknowledge chemical dependency; they refuse to follow guidelines of recovery programs that stipulate requirements to maintain abstinence and to make major lifestyle changes. For patients who are unmotivated, treatment will not be effective in instilling motivation to interrupt the progress of the disease.

In contrast, patients who are motivated acknowledge that they are chemically dependent and recognize the need to make lifestyle changes. However, despite efforts of these patients, they relapse into substance use. The distinction between motivated and unmotivated relapse prone patients is notable because many clinicians believe that individuals who relapse are unmotivated with respect to treatment goals. However, the CENAPS Model suggests that patients who are motivated but relapse are in treatment programs that are insufficient in meeting their needs. The CENAPS Model tries to address these deficiencies by providing a systematic method for identifying warning signs of relapse and by providing patients with tools to develop concrete warning-sign management and recovery plans.