How the Abstinence Violation Effect Affects Recovery Realize Behavioral Health
The term relapse may be used to describe a prolonged return to substance use, whereas lapsemay be used to describe discrete, circumscribed… The AVE was introduced into the substance abuse literature within the context of the “relapse process” (Marlatt & Gordon, 1985, p. 37). Relapse has been variously defined, depending on theoretical orientation, treatment goals, cultural context, and target substance (Miller, 1996; White, 2007). It is, however, most commonly used to refer to a resumption of substance-use behavior after a period abstinence violation effect of abstinence from substances (Miller, 1996). The term relapse may be used to describe a prolonged return to substance use, whereas lapsemay be used to describe discrete,… It has also been used to advocate for managed alcohol and housing first programs, which represent a harm reduction approach to high-risk drinking among people with severe AUD (Collins et al., 2012; Ivsins et al., 2019).
Navigating the Abstinence Violation Effect in Eating Disorder Recovery
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. Overcoming the abstinence violation effect starts with being mindful of it and follows with being kinder to ourselves. If we accept the obvious fact that we are human beings and sometimes make mistakes, it is much easier to recover from setbacks. Rather than questioning our self-worth after a mistake is made, we will be able to simply acknowledge it and move on from there.
Is abstinence effective?
Another technique is that the road to abstinence is broken down to smaller achievable targets so that client can easily master the task enhancing self-efficacy. Also, therapists can provide positive feedback of achievements that the client has been able to make in other facets of life6. 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. The abstinence violation effect (AVE) describes a common response among people practicing abstinence when relapse occurs.
Is abstinence a decision to avoid risk behaviors?
You may also have a similar thought to the reward thought after a period of sobriety. After a period of success in your recovery, you may think you can control your drug or alcohol use again. Even though you may think this time is different, if your drinking and drug use has gotten out of hand in the past, it is unlikely to be different now. Relapses are unique to each individual, and your experience with them may be different as well.
Adopting a sense of compassion
This can lead to a full relapse by making someone believe that because they’ve already messed up, there is no hope of achieving sobriety. As a result, they may also be less likely to try staying sober again after subsequent use. Life situations, relationships, and commitments all have to be parsed through carefully and continually evaluated for balance and harmony. That way, the individual may be better able to avoid the most likely causes of relapse and the potential resulting AVE.
Physical Relapse
- Advocates of nonabstinence approaches often point to indirect evidence, including research examining reasons people with SUD do and do not enter treatment.
- Learning to recognize and manage this effect is crucial in eating disorder recovery to promote self-compassion, resilience, and sustainable progress.
- This preparation can empower a client to avoid relapse altogether or to lessen the impact of relapse if it occurs.
- One day, they feel overwhelmed by stress and turn to binge eating as a coping mechanism, consuming large quantities of food in a short period.
- Those who break sobriety with a single drink or use of a drug are at a high risk of a full relapse into addiction.
This stage is characterized by anxiety, depression, loneliness, and irritability. Emotional relapse is not necessarily caused by these natural emotions but rather by how you cope with them. You are not unique in having suffered a relapse and it’s not the end of the world. Some other examples of things a person might abstain from include drugs, sexual behaviors, unhealthy foods, tobacco, and social media. In many cases, relapse can also affect the brain by causing the abstinence violation effect discussed in this article.
Because of heightened overdose drug addiction treatment risk, treatment providers can offer naloxone and overdose prevention training to all clients, even those whose “drug of choice” does not include opioids. Rather than communicating pessimism about a client’s potential to recover, these overdose prevention measures acknowledge the existence of the AVE and communicate that safety is more important than maintaining perfect abstinence. More information on overdose prevention strategies in treatment settings is available here. The AVE is a complex interplay of cognitive, emotional, and motivational factors that contribute to intense negative reactions following a perceived violation of self-imposed rules or goals.
