Abstinence Violation Effect AVE What It Is & Relapse Prevention Strategies

Also, R.M.ANOVA was used to compare within-group changes immediately, 1 week and 3 months after the intervention. Tests of Chi-square and Cochran’s Q were used for lapse and relapse changes between and within groups, respectively. These sessions were held weekly and provided by counseling experts in smoking cessation clinics. The AVE was introduced into the substance abuse literature within the context of the “relapse process” (Marlatt & Gordon, 1985, p. 37). Relapse has been variously defined, depending on theoretical orientation, treatment goals, cultural context, and target substance (Miller, 1996; White, 2007).

Understand The Relapse Process

Instead of sinking into self-blame, reframe setbacks as temporary obstacles rather than insurmountable failures, and replace blame with self-compassion and understanding. Feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame may lead people to question their ability to overcome addiction and exacerbate underlying issues of low self-esteem. Overall, the Abstinence Violation Effect is a complex phenomenon influenced by a combination of cognitive, emotional, and biological factors. One of the key features of the AVE is its potential to trigger a downward spiral of further relapse and continued substance use. For example, I am a failure (labeling) and will never be successful with abstaining from drinking, eating healthier, or exercising (jumping to conclusions). The funding agencies had no role in the design of study, data collection and analysis, or presentation of the results.

Seek Support

Understanding how AVE impacts the path to overcoming addiction and the commitment to behavioral changes is pivotal. When experiencing AVE, individuals tend to internalize their lapse as a personal weakness which diminishes their self esteem. The negative internalization escalates into beliefs such as being unable to control their behaviors and that their efforts were for nothing. At this point, the individual is likely in a vulnerable state, triggering the desire to use or engage in the behavior again.

Treatment Programs

Self-efficacy is related to the positive results of treatment and abstinence, and the more self-efficacy a person perceives, the more successful his/her treatment will be 24. The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of internal and external self-efficacy immediately, one week and three months after intervention. One of the strategies of Marlatt and Gordon’s approach to preventing relapse is increasing self-efficacy, and it emphasizes coping strategies to increase self-efficacy. In other words, this approach helps clients to identify high-risk situations and use effective coping skills such as cognitive coping skills, positive self-talk, and behavioral coping skills more effectively 25, 26.

The Chi-square test showed a significant difference between the two intervention and control groups in terms of the average number of daily cigarettes in 4 points. Understanding the AVE is crucial for individuals in recovery and those focused on healthier lifestyle choices. Instead of surrendering to the negative spiral, individuals can benefit from reframing the lapse as a learning opportunity and teachable moment. Recognizing the factors that contributed to the lapse, such as stressors or triggers, helps individuals to develop strategies and techniques to navigate similar challenges in the future. In the multifaceted journey of overcoming addiction and living a healthier life, individuals often encounter a psychological phenomenon known as the abstinence violation effect (AVE). It sheds light on the challenges individuals face when attempting to maintain abstinence and how a single lapse can trigger a surge of negative emotions, potentially leading to a full relapse or a return to unhealthy living (Collins & Witkiewitz, 2013; Larimer, Palmer, & Marlatt, 1999).

• Specific intervention strategies include helping the person identify and cope with high-risk situations, eliminating myths regarding a drug’s effects, managing lapses, and addressing misperceptions about the relapse process.
• In general, although in the present study, the findings have shown the effectiveness of the intervention in limiting lapse and relapse in people who received the cognitive behavior therapy based on Marlatt’s model compared to the control group, some points are important in reviewing the results.
• In a review of controlled clinical trials, Carroll found the strongest support for Marlatt-based relapse prevention when it was applied to smoking cessation 18.
• The data collection tool was a questionnaire based on Marlatt’s Cognitive-Behavioral Model constructs on smoking relapse prevention.

Through shifting attention towards positive coping skills and strategies, the impact of lapse and the Substance abuse intensity of the AVE can be minimized. Setbacks are a normal part of the recovery, meaning the isolated event is not an indicator of overall failure. Instead, foster the mindset that the event was a learning opportunity which provided insight into what can be done better in the future.

Reach out to friends, family, or support groups for encouragement during difficult times. Taylor may think, “All that good work down the drain, I am never going to be able to keep this up for my life.” Like Jim, this may also trigger a negative mindset and a return to unhealthy eating and a lack of physical exercise. Realistic—Although I had a setback, I did not lose the gains that I have made in the past months.

By implementing certain strategies, people can develop resilience, self-compassion, and adaptive coping skills to counteract the effects of the AVE and maintain lifelong sobriety. Additionally, individuals may engage in cognitive distortions or negative self-talk, such as believing that the relapse is abstinence violation effect evidence of personal weakness. Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs. This can include abstinence from substance abuse, overeating, gambling, smoking, or other behaviors a person has been working to avoid.