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Benchmark - Treatment Interventions

Celeste Huerta

Grand Canyon University- CNL 501

Professor Aura

14 September 2022
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Benchmark - Treatment Interventions

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.7 million

American adults struggled with a substance use disorder in 2017 (Drug & Substance Abuse

Addiction Statistics, 2022). With Drug use being prevalent and growing in our society today, it is

important for counselors to conduct research and be knowledgeable about drug use and various

interventions. Empirically researched treatments are evidence-based approaches conducted by

researchers, developers, and/or clinicians to examine interventions and collect data to prove the

effectiveness of a treatment. Reading further, this document will explain empirically researched

interventions, substance use disorder treatments, different treatment programs, personal

treatment preference, and cultural considerations throughout treatment.

Empirically Researched Interventions

There are numerous treatment approaches for a wide range of problems people struggle

with; however, empirically researched treatments have shown to be most accurate and effective.

Empirical research provides validity and a detailed process of an approach. For substance abuse

specifically, researchers typically continue the process through post-treatment to show if an

approach was effective long-term. This is beneficial to the counseling field because it allows

counselors to provide the best treatment and intervention for specific needs.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Two well-known approaches in treatment include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

and solution focused-therapy (SFT). Both of these approaches have numerous empirical studies

that have proven them to be effective for substance use. The CBT approach consists of analyzing

and understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Cohen, Deblinger,

& Mannarino, 2018). CBT contains six assumptions as follows: (1) substance abuse involves a
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complex cognitive and behavioral process, (2) substance abuse and cognitive-behavioral

processes can be learned, (3) CBT can be modified, (4) CBT teaches coping mechanisms to

resist urges to use and significantly reduces associated problems, (5) CBT must be provided in a

warm, supportive, and collaborating counseling relationship, and (6) CBT provides specific

individualized techniques for clients (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2016). CBT is also often used hand-in

hand with other treatment methods, such as motivational interventions (MI), to enhance

treatment outcomes. The second approach, SFT, is a shorter process that emphasizes resources

and how they can be applied to the change process (Corcoran & Pillai, 2007). It is a strengths-

based approach that allows individuals to analyze events prior and during their use and

implements goals that a client would like to achieve during the change process. This approach is

collaborative but allows the client to take on an active role in decision-making and developing

autonomy. This method promotes independence and develops coping strategies for stressors or

triggers that influence their substance use. Just like CBT, this form of treatment is enhanced

when combined with other techniques. Both treatments have numerous empirical studies and

have been shown to be effective; however, the approaches have some differences.

Differences of Treatment Programs

The cognitive-behavior approach is a long-term treatment process whereas solution-

focused is brief. CBT also focuses on skills to improve and/or cope with thoughts and behaviors

and SFT is more goal oriented. SFT focuses on the presenting problem while CBT focuses on

details of various life experiences that led up to the problem. CBT and SFT both have strengths

and weaknesses but have evidence of long-term effectiveness.

Treatment Preference
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Of the two approaches, I prefer the cognitive behavioral approach. There are numerous

techniques that can be utilized with CBT and it works well with other approaches. It also looks at

a wider range of factors that have an impact on a client’s problems. It allows clients to self-

reflect and collaborate with a counselor to not only understand the root of their problems but

ways to manage them long-term. For substance use specifically, it will allow counselors and

clients to understand what started the pattern of using and why they continued (Cohan et a.,

2018).

Cultural Considerations

With any treatment process it is important to be aware of cultural backgrounds. CBT and

SFT can lack effectiveness specifically when working with adolescents. Depending on the age,

not all clients will have the capability of understanding goal orientation or self-reflection.

Another important consideration is access to resources. With SFT, some clients might not have

access to solutions due to finances or transportation and a counselor might need to incorporate

another strategy. It is also important with any approach to be aware of biases. For counselors, it

is crucial to understand that client’s come from various backgrounds and they need to be

welcomed and understood throughout the process without judgment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when working with an at-risk population it is crucial to utilize approaches

that have been studied and proven to be effective long-term. Of numerous approaches, cognitive-

behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy are commonly used for substance use. There are

studies conducted by professionals and clinicians that show long-term benefits of both CBT and

SFT. These approaches work well individually but can be more beneficial when utilized with

another treatment approach.

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References:

Drug & substance abuse addiction statistics. American Addiction Centers. (2022, March

11). Retrieved from https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-

statistics

Capuzzi, D. & Stauffer, M. (Ed.). (2016). Foundations of addictions counseling (3rd ed.).

Boston, MA: Pearson ISBN-13: 9780133998641

Cohen, J. A., Deblinger, E., & Mannarino, A. P. (2018). Trauma-focused cognitive

behavioral therapy for children and families. Psychotherapy Research, 28(1), 47–

57. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/10503307.2016.1208375

McHugh, R. K., Hearon, B. A., & Otto, M. W. (2010). Cognitive behavioral therapy for

substance use disorders. The Psychiatric clinics of North America, 33(3), 511–525.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2010.04.012

Corcoran, J., & Pillai, V. (2007). A Review of the Research on Solution-Focused Therapy.

British Journal of Social Work, 39(2), 234–242.

https://doi.org/10.1093/BJSW/BCM098