Hunt, barnett, and branch (1971) showed that between 60 and 70% of the individuals treated for alcohol, tobacco, or heroin abuse in abstinence-oriented programs had returned to their primary substance use three months after treatment. This study suggests that the relapse dynamic cuts across different substances of abuse and may be a fundamental aspect of all addictive behaviors, at present, abstinence is not a reliable or viable method for the treatment of addictions.
