The study was especially notable because most other treatment readiness measures have been validated on treatment-seeking samples (see Freyer et al., 2004). Rather than labeling oneself as a failure, weak, or a loser, recognizing the effort and progress made before the lapse can provide a more balanced perspective. For Jim and Taylor, this might involve acknowledging the months of sobriety and healthier lifestyle choices and understanding that a single incident does not erase that progress. The important thing to consider is that the hardest drug addiction to recover from is the one that you suffer from. The actual statistics on relapse for other drugs have little to do with one’s personal recovery program.

Relationship between goal choice and treatment outcomes

Another factor that may occur is the Problem of Immediate Gratification where the client settles for shorter positive outcomes and does not consider larger long term adverse consequences when they lapse. By implementing certain strategies, people can develop resilience, self-compassion, and adaptive coping skills to counteract the effects of the AVE and maintain lifelong sobriety. In the journey of overcoming addiction and or abstaining from an unwanted behavior, individuals often encounter a psychological phenomenon known as the abstinence violation effect (AVE). AVE impacts those who are inspired to become abstinent but experience a setback, such as a lapse or relapse.

How does relapse affect the brain?

• Expectancies are the result of both direct and indirect (e.g. perception of the drug from peers and media) experiences3.
• Without addressing the impact that AVE has, it can inhibit the ability to achieve recovery goals.

The combination of these negative emotions and beliefs can further exacerbate the degree of the lapse and derail from their recovery process. Without addressing the impact that AVE has, it can inhibit the ability to achieve recovery goals. The AVE in addiction is systemic, and some experts believe that too few treatment modalities identify both the mechanisms that lead to addictive disorders and the ones that keep them in place, even years after a client amphetamine addiction treatment seems to have recovered.

Who might experience the AVE?

Feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame may lead people to question their ability to overcome addiction and exacerbate underlying issues of low self-esteem. If you’ve relapsed and need help getting back on the road to recovery, reach out to one of our admissions navigators at to regain your sobriety today. It was at these meetings that he finally decided that he was an alcoholic and that he needed to stop drinking. After six successful months of recovery, Joe believed he was abstinence violation effect well on his way to being sober for life; however, one evening, he got into a major argument with his wife regarding her relationship with another man.

• That said, abstinence can also come from a desire to avoid a potential high-risk situation later on.
• Chronic stressors may also overlap between self-efficacy and other areas of intrapersonal determinants, like emotional states, by presenting more adaptational strain on the treatment-seeking client4.
• Taylor uses an app to watch her intake of calorie limit and does see positive outcomes to her new lifestyle.
• This is at least partly because relapses may signify gaps in the coping and recovering process that might have been there to begin with.

It can also be particularly vital for mental health professionals to communicate the reality of addiction. Substance use disorders are clinical mental health disorders, meaning addiction is a matter of neurological and biological predispositions and changes that take time to rectify. These rectifying steps usually include changing external elements rather than finding a magic button of willpower. Learning healthy coping mechanisms can help you manage stress, cravings, and triggers without resorting to substance use. The Abstinence Violation Effect is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person experiences relapse after attempting to abstain from drug or alcohol use. Identify triggers that may have contributed to the relapse and develop strategies to address them proactively in the future.

Getting support for substance use disorders and/or relapses

Marlatt (1985) describes an abstinence violation effect (AVE) that leads people to respond to any return to drug or alcohol use after a period of abstinence with despair and a sense of failure. By undermining confidence, these negative thoughts and feelings increase the likelihood that an isolated “lapse” will lead to a full-blown relapse. In a similar fashion, the nature of these attributions determines whether the violation will lead to full-blown relapse. In conclusion, the abstinence violation effect is a psychological effect that impacts those in recovery, as well as those who are focused on making more positive behavioral choices in their lives. By reframing lapses as learning opportunities and teachable moments, cultivating self-compassion, and seeking support, individuals can navigate these challenges more effectively, increasing their chances of leading a healthier lifestyle.

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For example, I am a failure (labeling) and will never be successful with abstaining from drinking, eating healthier, or exercising (jumping to conclusions). Taylor may think, “All that good work down the drain, I am never going to be able to keep this up for my life.” Like Jim, this may also trigger a negative mindset and a return to unhealthy eating and a lack of physical exercise. If you or a loved one is experiencing addiction in Massachusetts, our professional clinicians can help. Maintain a balanced lifestyle by eating healthily, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring you happiness and fulfillment.

Is abstinence a decision to avoid risk behaviors?

The abstinence violation effect is a complex phenomenon that usually needs to be approached from several different directions to be handled effectively.

Adopting a sense of compassion

Through shifting attention towards positive coping skills and strategies, the impact of lapse and the intensity of the AVE can be minimized. Setbacks are a normal part of the recovery, meaning the isolated event is not an indicator of overall failure. Instead, foster the mindset that the event was a learning opportunity which provided insight into what can be done better in the future. It arises when a person starts to feel that when a lapse occurs, it is indicative of a moral failure, loss of hope for continued recovery, or proof that recovery is ultimately not possible. This is a common risk factor, but psychologists, rehabilitation professionals, and treatment centers work hard to combat it because it’s generally not constructive for the individual’s future success.