Differences in relapse precipitants and coping behaviour between alcohol relapsers and survivors.

This paper details an empirical investigation into alcoholic relapse. The model underlying this work hypothesized that relapse in alcoholics is an interaction between (1) situations seen as dangerous in precipitating relapse, (2) the behaviour available within the individual's repertoire to cope with these situations, (3) the perceived effectiveness of ‘coping’ behaviour and (4) the degree of self-attributed alcohol dependence.The results of a principal components analysis indicated that relapse precipitants could be categorised as (1) unpleasant affect. (2) external events and euphoric feelings. (3) social anxiety and (4) lessened cognitive vigilance. Except for ‘external events’, these relapse precipitants seemed to be associated with certain styles of coping, but these coping styles were not necessarily effective in avoiding relapse.The findings also indicated that there may be important differences in relapse precipitants and coping styles between those alcoholics who relapse after treatment and those who survive. The results suggest that cognitive control and flexibility of coping are more characteristic of ‘survivors’. The predictive and therapeutic implications of these findings are discussed from the point of view of prevention of relapse.