Question

Relapse often happens in addiction treatment. Is relapse evidence of the failure of treatment or evidence of addiction? Should the counselor change the treatment methods if relapse happens? Why or why not? Consult the professional literature and your textbook to form your opinion. Cite your sources.

Answer 1

Relapse often happens in addiction treatment, but this is not an evidence of the failure of treatment but the chronic nature of the addiction, and its deep rooted impact in the behavior of the individual. When relapse occurs it is advisable that the individuals talk to their counselors, resume the treatment, modify the treatment methods or change the treatment methods. As addiction becomes deep rooted in the behavior of the individuals, and many situations or aspects of individuals is related to the addiction, always the chances are there that the relapse may occur. In such conditions, it is necessary to understand the chronic nature of addiction and the factors that are related to it with newer understanding of it. This would help to have treatment methods that would help the individual to overcome addiction and modify their behavior.

This information has been retrieved from the website of National Institute Of Drug Abuse (NIDA) on the topic Treatment and Recovery.