“The opportunity was there”: Applying Routine Activity Theory to relapse into substance use

Relapse is an integral part of substance use recovery, yet research on minimizing relapse is limited. Routine Activity Theory posits that when offenders and targets meet where guardians are absent, crime will occur. Conceptualizing relapse in terms of Routine Activity Theory, such that the offender is a person in recovery, the target is the drug, and a guardian is involved in the person’s recovery, offers a new perspective on relapse. Examples are provided from qualitative interviews with 29 women formerly involved in substance use and street prostitution. Respondents described relapse as an opportunity, suggesting the application of Routine Activity Theory. Women spoke about the role of intimate handlers, place managers and guardians in preventing or facilitating relapse, and how different types of places create opportunities for relapse. Results indicate the importance of controllers, in particular intimate handlers, in minimizing relapse opportunities. Interventions by informal social control agents informed by Routine Activity Theory may prevent relapse opportunities from materializing.