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Testing the abstinence violation effect construct with marijuana cessation
R S Stephens1, L Curtin, E E Simpson
1Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061-0436.
Addictive Behaviors
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Attributing marijuana lapses to internal, stable, and global causes, alongside feelings of lost control, predicts returning to substance use. Relapse prevention treatment did not alter these negative reactions to a lapse.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Addiction Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The Abstinence Violation Effect (AVE) proposes that attributions for lapses influence relapse risk.
- Understanding these cognitive factors is crucial for effective substance use disorder treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test AVE hypotheses in marijuana users.
- To examine the relationship between attributions, loss of control, and relapse following treatment.
Main Methods:
- 75 adult marijuana users who experienced a lapse were studied.
- Participants completed either relapse prevention or social support group treatment.
- Attributions for lapses and perceived loss of control were assessed.
Main Results:
- Internal, stable, and global attributions for lapses were significantly linked to concurrent relapse.
- Perceived loss of control also correlated with relapse.
- Internal and global attributions predicted marijuana use for the next 6 months.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the AVE construct in the context of marijuana use.
- Relapse prevention treatment failed to modify negative reactions to lapses.
- Cognitive-behavioral interventions may need refinement to address lapse attributions.
