The Abstinence Violation Effect refers to:

A) A well-replicated research finding demonstrating the high likelihood of full-blown relapse when an individual violates his/her sobriety within the first year of achieving it
B) A concept in Behavioral Couples Therapy for alcoholism that predicts the return of drinking when a couple experiences significant conflict in the relationship
C) A concept used in Relapse Prevention treatment related to a cognitive error in which an individual believes that if he or she uses even a small amount (lapse) following a period of abstinence, this is the same as a full-blown relapse and all treatment gains have been lost
D) A well-replicated research finding from the 12-step literature that shows worse long-term outcomes for individuals who follow a harm reduction approach to their substance use (i.e., trying to cut down but not completely stop using) compared to those who follow an abstinence-only approach

Question

Yipeng Zhang · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C, Explanation :  The Abstinence Violation Effect is a cognitive distortion occurring in individuals recovering from substance abuse, where a minor slip or lapse in abstinence is viewed as a major failure, often leading to a full relapse. This concept is crucial in understanding the psychological processes that can undermine recovery efforts.

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