The objective of this study was to describe the
predictors of substance use relapse of American Indian
(AI) women up to one year following substance abuse
treatment. Relapse is defi ned as any use of alcohol or
drugs in the past 30 days at the follow-up points. Data
were collected from AI women in a 45-day residential
substance abuse treatment program. Predictors include
distal (in time) proximal (recent), and intrapersonal
factors. Results indicated that intrapersonal factors
showed the strongest relationship with relapse, followed
by proximal and distal factors. Negative messages about
using alcohol or drugs from the client's father while
growing up may have had an impact on whether the
client used alcohol at 6 months. Confl icts with other
people and being in the company of alcohol or drug
users were highly predictive of relapse. While craving
was highly predictive of substance use at follow up,
self-effi cacy was highly predictive of no substance use.
Knowledge about predictors of relapse among this
population should be used as a guide toward individual
treatment planning.