Naturally, the risk of returning to an addiction can be another effect of abstinence. Practicing healthy coping strategies, making appropriate lifestyle changes, and getting outside support may help to prevent relapse and maintain mental well-being. The AVE occurs when an individual views his relapse as a deviation from his commitment to absolute abstinence.

Changing how recovery is viewed

Maintain a balanced lifestyle by eating healthily, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring you happiness and fulfillment. Instead of sinking into self-blame, reframe setbacks as temporary obstacles rather than insurmountable failures, and replace blame with self-compassion and understanding. Counteracting the effects of the AVE is necessary to support long-term recovery from addiction. Feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame may lead people to question their ability to overcome addiction and exacerbate underlying issues of low self-esteem. Overall, the Abstinence Violation Effect is a complex phenomenon influenced by a combination of cognitive, emotional, abstinence violation effect and biological factors.

Prevention and Management

Rather, remember that relapse is a natural part of the journey and an opportunity for growth. When people don’t have the proper tools to navigate the challenges of recovery, the AVE is more likely to occur, which can make it difficult to achieve long-term sobriety. This can create a cycle of self-recrimination and further substance use, making it challenging to maintain long-term abstinence. In many cases, relapse can also affect the brain by causing the abstinence violation effect discussed in this article. This can lead to a full relapse by making someone believe that because they’ve already messed up, there is no hope of achieving sobriety. As a result, they may also be less likely to try staying sober again after subsequent use.

• The Abstinence Violation Effect (AVE) is a psychological phenomenon that refers to a person’s reaction to breaking a self-imposed rule of abstinence or self-control.
• This is at least partly because relapses may signify gaps in the coping and recovering process that might have been there to begin with.
• Some people feel more comfortable or supported by meeting with this type of professional in person.
• This phenomenon underscores the importance of understanding the psychological processes involved in self-regulation and developing effective strategies to prevent or mitigate the effect of abstinence violation.
• In the case of sexual behavior, it can cause episodes of sexual compulsion after trying to repress those desires.

Learn From Relapse

Instead of surrendering to the negative spiral, individuals can benefit from reframing the lapse as a learning opportunity and teachable moment. Recognizing the factors that contributed to the lapse, such as stressors or triggers, helps individuals to develop strategies and techniques to navigate similar challenges in the future. Upon breaking the self-imposed rule, individuals often experience negative emotions such as guilt, shame, disappointment, and a sense of failure. Cognitive processes may include self-blame, rumination, and heightened self-awareness. These emotional and cognitive reactions intensify the Abstinence Violation Effect, which may lead to a further loss of control and increased vulnerability to subsequent relapses or deviations from the established rule.

Abstinence Violation: Understanding Its Effects

If you were initially treated for an addiction disorder, that therapist can provide additional help. Some people feel more comfortable or supported by meeting with this type of professional in person. If you prefer receiving this type of support from the comfort of your own home, you might consider working with a therapist virtually. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, for instance, you can get matched with a licensed provider who meets your needs and preferences, and you can speak with them via phone, video call, and/or online chat. They can help you reframe your recovery journey and develop healthier coping mechanisms for triggers and relapses.

• In conclusion, the abstinence violation effect is a psychological effect that impacts those in recovery, as well as those who are focused on making more positive behavioral choices in their lives.
• When a lapse or relapse has occurs, seeking appropriate mental health support from a qualified professional can be a helpful first step toward resuming your journey on the road to recovery and decreasing the likelihood of repeated lapses.
• A single lapse does not have to result in a downward spiral of additional lapses and prolonged relapse, and a significant period of relapse does not have to culminate in a lifelong powerlessness over addictive behavior.
• The AVE describes the negative emotional response that often accompanies a failure to maintain abstinence from drugs or alcohol.
• AVE describes the negative, indulgent, or self-destructive feelings and behavior people often experience after lapsing during a period of abstinence.
• The abstinence violation effect is a fundamental concept in psychology that refers to the consequences that can arise when a person attempts to abstain from a habitual behavior and then relapses into it.

It has also been shown to promote a decrease in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and specific phobias, all which have a comorbid relationship with substance use disorders. If you’re interested in trying online therapy, you can reach out to get matched with a qualified virtual therapist today. The desire to avoid lapses may lead one to cultivate a pathological inflexible Twelve-step program commitment to staying on course. Moreover, disappointment from a lapse causes dieters to engage in binge eating after a broken diet.

• Clinicians in relapse prevention programs and the field of clinical psychology as a whole point out that relapse occurs only after a long-term pattern of specific feelings, thoughts, and behavior.
• The abstinence violation effect (AVE) describes the tendency of people recovering from addiction to spiral out of control when they experience even a minor relapse.
• It’s an important part of any recovery program to address these preconceived notions of addiction and paint a more accurate portrait with the level of compassion, self-awareness, and support that is so essential to addiction recovery.
• For Jim and Taylor, this might involve acknowledging the months of sobriety and healthier lifestyle choices and understanding that a single incident does not erase that progress.
• Addressing the AVE in the context of addiction treatment involves helping people develop healthier coping strategies and challenging negative beliefs that contribute to addiction.
• This cue leads to a cognitive conflict, as the individual struggles between their desire to maintain abstinence and the urge to engage in the prohibited behavior.

AVE also involves cognitive dissonance, a distressing experience people go through when their internal thoughts, beliefs, actions, or identities are put in conflict with one another. Check out our blog posts and resource links for the latest information on substance abuse. If you or a loved one is experiencing addiction in Massachusetts, our professional clinicians can help. By providing comprehensive care, our treatment programs create a supportive environment in which our clients can build a solid foundation for lasting sobriety.

There are several factors that can contribute to the development of the AVE in people recovering from addiction. One of the key features of the AVE is its potential to trigger a downward spiral of further relapse and continued substance use. Depending on the substance used, addiction may also have the potential to damage the brain itself. The Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions (IRETA) is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit located in Pittsburgh, PA. Our mission is to help people respond effectively to substance use and related problems. As with all things 12-step, the emphasis on accumulating “time” and community reaction to a lapse varies profoundly from group to group, which makes generalizations somewhat unhelpful.