16 - Relapse to Cocaine Use

Abstract

Relapse denotes at least one episode of drug use following a period of no use. Some authors differentiate a lapse from a relapse. Usually, a lapse is defined as a brief episode of drug use quickly followed by a resumption of abstinence. Definitions of relapse are also complicated by emerging definitions of positive cocaine treatment outcomes. Development of definitions of cocaine relapse is hampered by the lack of descriptive data on relapse episodes. There are several models of drug use and relapse, including the conditioning models, many of which have a neurobiological underpinning. Numerous biological, psychological, social, and situational factors may influence relapse to cocaine. Research on most of these factors is still sparse. Epidemiological studies suggest a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among cocaine patients compared to the general population. This chapter reiterates that most drug abuse treatments, both psychological and pharmacological, strive to help patients achieve abstinence. Relapse Prevention (RP) is a relatively recent technology for promoting abstinence from drugs of abuse as well as cessation of nondrug problematic behaviors.