Abstinence Violation Effect AVE definition Psychology Glossary

When experiencing AVE, individuals tend to internalize their lapse as a personal weakness which diminishes their self esteem. The negative internalization escalates into beliefs such as being unable to control their behaviors and that their efforts were for nothing. At this point, the individual is likely in a vulnerable state, triggering the desire to use or engage in the behavior again. The combination of these negative emotions and beliefs can further exacerbate the degree of the lapse and derail from their recovery process. Upon breaking the self-imposed rule, individuals often experience negative emotions such as guilt, shame, disappointment, and a sense of failure. 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.

Relationship Addiction: 10 Warning Signs You’re Addicted to Love (& How to Break Free)

AVE occurs when someone who is striving for abstinence from a particular behavior or substance experiences a setback, such as a lapse or relapse. Instead of viewing the incident as a temporary setback, the individual perceives it as evidence of personal failure, leading to increased feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness (Collins & Witkiewitz, 2013; Larimer, Palmer, & Marlatt, 1999). It can impact someone who is trying to be abstinent from alcohol and drug use in addition to someone trying to make positive changes to their diet, exercise, and other aspects of their lives.

Abstinence Violation Effect AVE What It Is & Relapse Prevention Strategies

These negative emotions are, unfortunately, often temporarily placated by a renewed pattern of substance abuse. The AVE occurs when the person attributes the cause of the initial lapse (the first violation of abstinence) to internal, stable, and global factors within (e.g., lack of willpower or the underlying addiction or disease). These properties of the abstinence violation effect also apply to individuals who do not have a goal to abstain, but instead have a goal to alcoholism restrict their use within certain self-determined limits. The limit violation effect describes what happens when these individuals fail to restrict their use within their predetermined limits and the subsequent effects of this failure. These individuals also experience negative emotions similar to those experienced by the abstinence violators and may also drink more to cope with these negative emotions.

• This is why many individuals who have been abstinent (or “clean”) for awhile accidentally overdose by starting to use again at the same level of use they were at before their abstinence period.
• Those who drink the most tend to have higher expectations regarding the positive effects of alcohol9.
• In a prospective study among both men and women being treated for alcohol dependence using the Situational Confidence Questionnaire, higher self-efficacy scores were correlated to a longer interval for relapse to alcohol use8.
• Lapses are, however, a major risk factor for relapse as well as overdose and other potential social, personal, and legal consequences of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Other more general strategies include helping the person develop positive addictions and employing stimulus-control and urge-management techniques.
• As a result, the AVE can trigger a cycle of further relapse and continued substance use, since people may turn to substances as a way to cope with the emotional distress.

Ohio Recovery Center

The Abstinence Violation Effect is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person experiences relapse after attempting to abstain from drug or alcohol use. Advocates of nonabstinence approaches often point to indirect evidence, including research examining reasons people with SUD do and do not enter treatment. This literature – most of which has been conducted in the U.S. – suggests a strong link between abstinence goals and treatment entry. The study was especially notable because most other treatment readiness measures have been validated on treatment-seeking samples (see Freyer et al., 2004). As a result, it’s important that those in recovery internalize this difference and establish the proper mental and behavioral framework to avoid relapse and continue moving forward even if lapses occur. Lapses are, however, a major risk factor for relapse as well as overdose and other potential social, personal, and legal consequences of drug or alcohol abuse.

Factors That Contribute To The Abstinence Violation Effect

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. Through shifting attention towards positive coping skills and strategies, the impact of lapse and the intensity of the AVE can be minimized. Setbacks are a normal part of the recovery, meaning the isolated event is not an indicator of overall failure. Instead, foster the mindset that the event was a learning opportunity which provided insight into what can be done better in the future.

Sign up for text support

In the journey of overcoming addiction and or abstaining from an unwanted behavior, individuals often encounter a psychological phenomenon known as the abstinence violation effect (AVE). AVE impacts those who are inspired to become abstinent but experience a setback, such as a lapse or relapse. The lapse can then trigger a surge of negative emotions such as a strong sense of guilt or failure. It can lead to a significant loss of motivation and confidence in their ability to maintain their recovery. Understanding how AVE impacts the path to overcoming addiction and the commitment to behavioral changes is pivotal.

• The abstinence violation effect (AVE) refers to the negative cognitive and affective responses that an individual experiences after the return to substance abuse after a period of abstinence.
• Setbacks are a normal part of the recovery, meaning the isolated event is not an indicator of overall failure.
• Through shifting attention towards positive coping skills and strategies, the impact of lapse and the intensity of the AVE can be minimized.

I have lost all that time,” which can trigger a self-destructive mindset and potentially lead to further relapse. In addition, relaxation training, time management, and having a daily schedule can be used to help clients achieve greater lifestyle balance. The myths related to substance use can be elicited by exploring the outcome expectancies as well as the cultural background of the client. Following this a decisional matrix can be drawn where pros and cons of continuing or abstaining from substance are elicited and clients’ beliefs may be questioned6.

• In the multifaceted journey of overcoming addiction and living a healthier life, individuals often encounter a psychological phenomenon known as the abstinence violation effect (AVE).
• Otherwise, recovering individuals are likely to make the worst of a single mistake and accelerate back through the relapse process as a result.
• One of the most critical predictors of relapse is the individual’s ability to utilize effective coping strategies in dealing with high-risk situations.
• Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs.

On the one hand, it can serve as a valuable learning opportunity, highlighting the triggers and situations that lead to relapse or rule violation. This awareness can aid in the development of effective coping strategies and relapse prevention techniques. On the other hand, if individuals perceive the Abstinence abstinence violation effect Violation Effect as a sign of personal failure or lack of self-control, it may diminish their self-efficacy and motivation to continue pursuing behavior change. Specific intervention strategies include helping the person identify and cope with high-risk situations, eliminating myths regarding a drug’s effects, managing lapses, and addressing misperceptions about the relapse process. Other more general strategies include helping the person develop positive addictions and employing stimulus-control and urge-management techniques.