The application of Marlatt's relapse prevention model to the treatment of sexual offenders has greatly facilitated the assessment and therapy of these difficult men. In particular, Pithers' reformulation of the model has been found useful. However, in applying this model of addiction to the sexual aggressor, certain conceptual and empirical problems have been overlooked. Specifically, redefining a lapse and incorporating the problem of immediate gratification into the abstinence violation effect has created theoretical confusion and is not supported by recent empirical research. The clinical implications of these problems are discussed.
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