Related Experiment Videos
Dependence, relapse and extinction: a theoretical critique and a behavioral examination
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|January 1, 1979
Summary
Relapse in alcoholism treatment shows significant individual differences, not a simple decay curve. Heavy drinking is linked to variable, not stable, drinking patterns month-to-month.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Studies
Background:
- Critiques the "decay of extinction" model for alcoholism relapse.
- Highlights limitations of using group data for individual relapse processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-examine the "decay of extinction" notion in alcoholism relapse.
- To analyze individual differences in relapse patterns.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral analysis of drinking records from 79 alcoholics.
- 12-month post-treatment follow-up of drinking behavior.
Main Results:
- Confirmed marked individual differences in the relapse process.
- Found heavy drinking frequency correlates with month-to-month drinking variability, not stability.
Conclusions:
- The "decay of extinction" model is insufficient for describing individual alcoholism relapse.
- Variable drinking patterns are more indicative of heavy drinking frequency post-treatment.