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Conceptual, methodological, and analytical issues in the study of relapse
James R McKay1, Teresa R Franklin, Nicholas Patapis
1University of Pennsylvania, Treatment Research Center, Philadelphia 19104, USA. mckay_j@mail.trc.upenn.edu
Clinical Psychology Review
|December 24, 2005
Summary
Research on relapse to alcohol and other drug use is advancing with new technologies for "near real time" data collection. This shift enhances understanding of relapse triggers and contributing factors in addiction recovery.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Neurobiology of addiction
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Relapse research traditionally relied on retrospective data.
- A shift towards real-time data collection is evident.
- Advances in neurobiology and statistical techniques inform current research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine conceptual, methodological, and analytic issues in alcohol and drug relapse research.
- To highlight the move from retrospective to real-time data in relapse studies.
- To discuss the interplay of distal and proximal factors in relapse.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on relapse research.
- Focus on the application of new technologies for data collection.
- Analysis of conceptual, methodological, and analytic approaches.
Main Results:
- Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) provides strong data for smoking relapses.
- Limited real-time data exists for alcohol and other drug relapses.
- Understanding of vulnerability to relapse has improved due to neurobiological advances.
Conclusions:
- Methodological advances are improving relapse research.
- There is a need for more real-time data on alcohol and drug relapse factors.
- Knowledge of relapse nature and process has significantly increased.