Recent advances in the psychotherapy of addictive disorders

Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2005 Oct;7(5):329-36. doi: 10.1007/s11920-005-0032-5.

Abstract

Rigorous research has recently identified a range of behavioral therapies that have been shown to be effective across the most prevalent types of substance dependence. This review summarizes the roles of behavioral therapies as contrasted with those of pharmacotherapies for substance use disorders and then provides an overview of the major classes of behavioral therapies (clinical management, coping skills approaches, motivational interviewing, and family and interpersonal approaches), highlighting their effectiveness across cocaine, opioid, alcohol, and cannabis use disorders. Lastly, important areas of current research emphasis including combined treatments, strategies for effectively transporting empirically validated treatments into clinical practice, and increasing the efficiency of treatment are described.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Behavior Therapy
  • Biomedical Research
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Motivation
  • Psychotherapy*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome