Relapse and recovery in drug abuse: research and practice.

Relapse and recovery are two related areas which are central to drug abuse treatment research and practice. The view of drug addiction and dependence as a chronic, relapsing disease is supported by both research and clinical experience. Recent research shows that many drug abusers have relatively short "addiction careers" and suggests that a better understanding of relapse (and its prevention) may assist treatment providers in more effectively moving clients toward recovery.