Аннотация:Abstract Over the last two decades, relapse prevention has emerged as a major focus of the treatment of drug problems. Few studies have demonstrated any impact on generally high relapse rates. In this paper the outcome of a controlled trial of a relapse prevention programme with male problem drinkers (n = 60) attending an Alcohol Treatment Unit is reported. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria were allocated to a relapse prevention (n − 20) procedure or a discussion (n = 20) or no‐additional treatment (n = 20) control procedure. Subjects were followed‐up at 6 and 12 months by the first author. The relapse prevention programme was associated with significantly greater increases in pre‐ and post‐treatment self‐efficacy compared to the discussion control group and significantly greater probability of total abstinence than all controls over the first 6‐month follow up. In addition, the relapse prevention programme was associated with significantly longer survival time to an initial lapse and relapse than the controls. At 12‐month follow‐up, treatment effects had been eroded. It was concluded that the relapse prevention programme was an effective treatment in the short term and that longer‐term impact may require greater focus on maintenance factors, such as the individual's environment.
