Relapse in the addictive behaviors

Understanding and preventing relapse are among the greatest challenges facing those working in the field of addictions. In response, this special issue was conceived and developed (1) to provide comprehensive reviews of the literature on important topics relevant to relapse to addictive behaviors and (2) to identify issues of central importance to advancing our understanding of the process of relapse and ultimately its amelioration. These articles as a group serve to consolidate as well as advance our knowledge about and understanding of relapse in the addictive behaviors.