Relapse prevention in psychoeducational groups for compulsive crack cocaine smokers

The paper presents a model of relapse prevention that utilizes metaphor, education, and psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral principles in psychoeducational groups for compulsive crack cocaine smokers during inpatient detoxification. Relapse prevention teaches engagement in preventive alternative behaviors after inpatient detoxification. Clinical interventions impress patients with the nature of their psychological vulnerability to internal and external dangers and the importance of aftercare treatment post detoxification to receive needed support negotiating high risk situations. The paper provides a detailed description of the group process and of the actual interventions the clinician utilizes, thereby expanding clinical options on what to do and say when educating patients on relapse. Interventions prepare patients to negotiate the numerous high risk situations they will encounter after inpatient treatment that could easily trigger relapse. Psychoeducation provides patients with a cognitive and intellectual framework in which to understand the process of psychotherapy, the difficulties regulating affect and self esteem, and how aftercare treatment addresses their psychological problems and decreases chances of relapse.