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In this paper, a study examining high-risk situations for relapse is presented. The sample consisted of 72 participants (51 male and 21 female) who had relapsed after having received a residential psychological treatment for drug addition in a therapeutic community in Spain. In order to analyze what personal, environmental or social factors were the most immediate triggers of relapse, a personal interview, using the Relapse Interview, was administered to each one of the relapsed patients. Results showed that most of the relapses took place during the first year after completing the treatment program. Likewise, the factors most frequently cited for relapse were the following: to cope with negative emotional states (49.5%), to be unable to resist temptations or impulses to consume (17.5%), to test personal control (10.3%) and to cope with interpersonal conflicts (9.3%). As can been observed, most factors were of an intrapersonal nature. Implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are commented upon. ; This study was supported by grant (code 35/2001) from the Health Department of Navarre Government (Spain).

The aims of this paper were to carry out a long-term follow-up evaluation of a well-established therapeutic community treatment for addictions in Navarre (Spain) and to make a comparison between the program completers and dropouts, as well as between relapsing and non-relapsing patients, on a wide set of variables. A long-term follow-up design (mean of 6 years after leaving treatment) was used to analyze the outcomes of the therapeutic program. The sample consisted of 155 subjects (113 completers and 42 dropouts). A personal interview was carried out with each one of the located subjects. The interviews took place between September 2000 and September 2004. Treatment "dropouts" manifested a higher and earlier rate both of relapses, and of new treatments for their drug addiction than the completion group. The program was also effective in reducing criminal behavior and improving the state of health. Significant differences were found across outcome variables when comparison was made between treatment completers and "dropouts". All subjects improved on outcome variables after receiving the treatment. When patients with and without relapse were compared, significant outcome differences were also found between groups. The study's limitations are noted and future needed research is suggested. ; This study was supported by grant (code 35/2001) from the Health Department of Navarre Government (Spain).