992).
Lane (1992) reports that some cognitive-behavioral programs for substance abuse are specifically designed to focus on relapse prevention. According to Rawson, Obert, McCann and Marinelli-Casey (1993), these cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention programs commonly include psychoeducational strategies, teaching clients how to identify high-risk situations, improving coping skills, increasing self-efficacy in dealing with drug/alcohol situations and instruction in new lifestyle behaviors.
Lane (1992) conducted an evaluation of a cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention program developed for use with court-referred DWI offenders. The evaluation was aimed at determining whether the program was successful in preventing relapse of abusing driving.
Program components involved getting individuals to commit themselves to one of two goals following their discharge. These were either: a) complete abstinence; or b) well controlled drinking. Evaluative data were collected through mailing survey instruments.
Findings of the study revealed that: (1) almost 70 percent of program participants reported no subsequent alcohol-related problems; and (2) about 80 percent of program participants felt that the program had been successful. However, the program was more successful for those who committed to abstinence than for those who committed to controlled drinking. Based on these findings, Lane (1992) concluded that:
Cognitive-behavioral treatment methods show some promise in the treatment of DWI offenders. Further research and controlled studies are needed. (p. 3780)
Forgey (1994) has described a school-based cognitive-behavioral program for substance abuse prevention. The program is targeted an middle school level, inner city minorities. Program components aim at teaching students several skills for avoiding substance abuse. These include teaching decision-making skills, stress management skills, resistance behaviors,...