Relapsed versus non-relapsed alcohol abusers: coping skills, life events, and social support.

Based on Marlatt's (1978) cognitive-behavioral relapse model and the results of several suggestive research studies, data were gathered on coping skills, life events, and social support to investigate the differences between relapsed and non-relapsed alcohol abusers. Results indicated that non-relapsers were reportedly less likely to drink and more noncompliant in problem situations, and experienced fewer negative life events and more positive life events, than relapsers. The social support results were inconclusive.