TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction:.....................................................................................................................................2
What is Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?................................................................................3
How is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Used to Treat Addiction.....................................................3
What Are the Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction?.......................................4
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................6
1
DIFFERENT THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES FOR THE INTERVENTION OF
SUBSTANCE USE AND DRUG ADDICTIO
Introduction:
Using psychological therapies for drug and alcohol addiction has many benefits and studies
show certain types of therapies are effective for helping people overcome their drug
addiction. Behavioral therapies for drug and alcohol addiction has many benefits and studies
show certain types of therapies are effective for helping people overcome their drug
addiction. Here’s why:
a. Therapy engages people in substance abuse treatment.
b. Therapy provides incentives for people to remain sober.
c. Therapy modifies peoples’ attitudes and behaviors toward drug abuse.
d. Therapy increases life skills and teaches people how to manage stress, triggers,
and high-risk situations in recovery.
Consensus exists that several psychosocial treatments or interventions for substance use
disorders are “evidence-based.” These include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (including
relapse prevention (RP)), contingency management (CM), motivational
enhancement/motivational interviewing (MI) and brief interventions (BIs) for alcohol and
tobacco. The main criterion of effectiveness is that a psychological therapy leads to either a
reduction in, or abstinence from, that substance and improvements across a broad range of
areas of functioning, which include physical health, psychological health, human
2
immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis risk behaviors, interpersonal relationships,
employment and criminal behavior. Psychosocial interventions can be used in a variety of
treatment settings either as stand-alone treatments or in combination with pharmacological
intervention. They can be implemented individually or in groups and delivered by a range of
health workers. Psychological treatments can be brief or intensive and specialized.
Psychosocial treatments are considered to be the foundation of drug and alcohol treatment,
especially for substances where pharmacological treatments have not been sufficiently
evaluated.
What is Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is founded on the core principle that psychological problems
like addiction are based (in part) on harmful thinking patterns, negative learned behaviors,
and unhelpful coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral interventions, also called CBT comprise an array of approaches based
on the learning principles and theorize that behavior is influenced by cognitive processes.
Standard CBT is a time-limited, structured psychological intervention, derived from a
cognitive model of drug misuse. There is an emphasis on identifying and modifying irrational
thoughts, managing negative mood and intervening after a lapse to prevent a full-blown
relapse.
How is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Used to Treat Addiction?
CBT aims to change harmful thinking patterns by teaching individuals how to recognize and
reevaluate them realistically, use problem-solving to deal with difficult situations, develop
3
self-confidence and self-efficacy, and gain a better understanding of the behaviors of others.
Instead of focusing on the past, CBT is centered on the here and now to help clients move
forward in life. Many addicted people are plagued by negative thinking patterns, which can
make it very difficult to stop using drugs or alcohol. Negative thinking patterns also heavily
contribute to feelings of powerlessness and mental health problems that frequently occur
alongside addiction like anxiety or depression. Instead of feeling powerless over their
addictive behaviors, cognitive behavioral therapy helps people explore patterns of negative
thinking that contribute to self-destructive behavior like substance abuse and adopt healthier
ways of thinking that will contribute to a life of sobriety.
CBT is often rated as the most effective approach to treatment with a drug and alcohol
population and is accepted well by clients. Evidence for the efficacy of CBT exists for a
range of substances including alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin and injecting
drug use.
What Are the Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction?
a. CBT is focused on the present and goal-oriented.
b. CBT helps clients develop strategies to deal with cravings, stressful situations, or
triggers that may occur outside of rehab.
c. CBT can be used in group or individual therapy.
d. CBT allows clients and therapists to work together to identify negative thinking
patterns and develop healthy ones.
e. The skills required for CBT are practical ones that can be incorporated into
everyday life.
4
Conclusion:
CBT forms an important tool of intervention and occupies an important place in the
psychosocial treatment of substance use disorders. Furthermore, the benefits of CBT may
extend beyond the treatment period and protects against relapse or recurrence after treatment
termination. Addition of cue exposure techniques to a CBT may further assist heroin-
dependent users in working toward a goal of abstinence
5
References
Glautier, S. (1994). A. K. Beck, F. D. Wright, C. F. Newman and B.S. Liese cognitive
therapy of substance abuse the Guilford press, New York, 1993; 354 pp., £19.95. Journal of
Applied Toxicology, 14(6), 457-457. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.2550140613
Richter, K. P., & Arnsten, J. H. (2006). A rationale and model for addressing tobacco
dependence in substance abuse treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and
Policy, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1747-597x-1-23
Rohsenow, D. J., Monti, P. M., Rubonis, A. V., Gulliver, S. B., Colby, S. M., Binkoff, J. A.,
& Abrams, D. B. (2001). Cue exposure with coping skills training and communication skills
training for alcohol dependence: 6‐ and 12‐month outcomes. Addiction, 96(8), 1161-1174.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.96811619.x
Silva, H. (2009). Cognitive behavioral therapies for trauma (2nd edition) edited by Victoria
M. Follette and Joseph I. Ruzek. New York: The Guilford press, 2006. 472 pp. Depression
and Anxiety, 26(3), 301-302. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20323
Wright, F. D., Beck, A. T., Newman, C. F., & Liese, B. S. (1993). Cognitive therapy of
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