Abstract
Addictions come in various formats and types. Today, drug and substance abuse has been identified as some of the most prevalent forms of addiction – with most of those affected being the youth. In essence, the future of the world, and more specifically the future of our nation, is largely founded on the sobriety and ability of those in the youthful age bracket to effectively function (both mentally and physically) in an increasingly complex and dynamic world. Drug and substance addiction could cause significant impairments at a personal level. The impact of drug and substance abuse on social systems is even greater – with drug abuse and addiction being linked to increased crime rates, child neglect, increased burden on the healthcare system, etc. My review of existing literature reveals that although various strategies have been adopted in an attempt to reign in the concern of drug and substance addiction, the concern of relapse remains largely unaddressed in most settings. I am of the informed opinion that failure to address the relapse concern and thus embrace effective relapse prevention strategies could affectively pour cold water on addiction prevention and recovery efforts. Thus, addressing relapse prevention is likely to go a long way towards the further enhancement of present addiction recovery approaches.

Keywords: addiction, relapse, drug, substance

Addiction Relapse: Evidence-Based Approaches towards Prevention

Introduction

Drug and substance addiction is often a painful struggle for most people who find themselves hooked to various kinds of drugs after several years of ‘light use.’ It is important to note that over time, a wide range of addiction recovery mechanisms and approaches have been developed with an aim of helping drug addicts make full recovery. As a matter of fact, various organizations and government agencies have come forward in an attempt to help addicts manage their addiction problems and make full recovery. It should, however, be noted that the said full recovery could be complicated or frustrated by relapse. In basic terms, drug or alcohol addiction relapse has got to do with the reoccurrence of addiction behaviors and tendencies that had gone into remission. In the words of Bowen et al. (2014), “relapse is highly prevalent following substance abuse treatments, highlighting the need for improved aftercare interventions” (547). Engel et al. (2016) are of the opinion that there is need for the optimization of current addiction recovery therapies so as to make them more effective. Focusing on relapse prevention methods could be just what is missing in the equation. This is more so the case given that as most studies have found out, a significant percentage of persons “treated for addictions tend to re-use drugs shortly after treatment” (Mohammadpoorasl et al. 2012, p. 124).

Evaluation of Sources

The authors of all three articles highlighted herein are accomplished professionals and scholars in the psychology realm. Further, the journals in which the articles appear are peer-reviewed and respected publications in the field of psychology. It is important to note that in an attempt to ensure that this undertaking is meaningful and that the conclusions arrived at are relevant, only articles published within the last seven years were taken into consideration. The authors of the first article, Bowen et al., are all accomplished psychology scholars affiliated with the Psychology Departments of diverse universities. In their piece, they seek to assess how effective mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) is in relapse prevention (in comparison to other approaches). The authors of the second article, i.e. Engel et al., are also scholars in the field of psychology and are affiliated to the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of Carite Campus-Mitte, Berlin, Germany. In this case, they seek to chart the role psychological...…meaningful role in this undertaking is via the application of evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment and relapse prevention. Thanks to this exercise, I have come to learn that relapse is not sudden. Rather, it occurs in stages and is influenced by a variety of factors. Towards this end, I would ensure that addiction recovery/treatment interventions and relapse prevention approaches are capable of identifying the telltale signs of relapse. I fully appreciate that full recovery is an individualistic process of growth tampered with various milestones of development. Viewing recovery in this perspective would enable me to walk recovering addicts through the entire road to recovery. In the final analysis, I have also come to embrace the relevance of mindfulness-based treatment in addiction recovery/treatment interventions and relapse prevention. This is more so the case given that according to Bowen et al. (2014) it has been routinely “associated with reductions in anxiety, depressive relapse…” (548). These are some of the key motivators of relapse that have been identified elsewhere in this text.

Conclusion

In the final analysis, it is important to note that by the time addicts seek treatment or help, or by the time addicts are referred to rehabilitation centers for treatment and addiction management, they have tried to quit the addictive behaviors without much success. Any attempt to quit is often complicated by factors beyond their control. For this reason, it would be accurate to point out that the risk of relapse is often real amongst recovering addicts even after they are deemed to have fully recovered. In that regard, therefore, recovery is not accomplished by the simple act of quitting the substance or drug. Instead, recovery involves substantive and deliberate changes in lifestyle whereby factors likely to trigger relapse are minimized (or eliminated).