Recovery from Addiction: Maintenance and Preventing Relapse

Abstract

Recovery is a multidimensional concept including biological, genetic, psychological, social, and cognitive components. While there are many definitions of recovery, there is no validated tool for measuring it. However, over the past decades, we have gained a deeper understanding of how substance use disorder (SUD) can benefit from psychosocial interventions, assisting an individual to achieve gradual, positive changes by understanding the stages of recovery. Relapse prevention (RP) collects cognitive-behavioral intervention strategies intended to prevent lapse (impulsive and brief use) and relapse (returning to uncontrolled use) among individuals with SUDs. RP is based on the biopsychosocial model of addiction where addictive behaviors are conceptualized as acquired habits with biological, psychosocial, and social determinants and consequences. Progress in recovery is most realistically measured according to the individual’s goals. Any positive changes are valued and reinforced by identifying clinical, nonclinical and self-management pathways for the individual.