"People can overcome addictive behaviors, but doing so often requires time and multiple attempts. Many studies have taught us the importance of approaching treatment from a realistic perspective. In this second edition, the relapse model proffered by Marlatt for alcohol problems 20 years ago has now been extended to a dozen different addictive behaviors. Each chapter provides an overview of the management and prevention of relapse for specific problem areas. This book is absolutely essential for anyone working in the addictions field."--Linda Carter Sobell, PhD, Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University

Until this book, the technology to treat repeated relapse into alcoholism and drug addiction did not exist at worst, and was haphazard at best. What the authors did was study relapsers and notice patterns of relapse. These patterns could then be codified and used in a program to identify 'triggers' or situation that lent themselves to relapse, and could thus be avoided in the future.