Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT

Our Research Based, Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic Approach

The research findings on the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for treating alcohol or drug dependent clients indicates this strategy has strong empirical support.

CBT uses learning processes to help individuals reduce their drug use. It works by helping clients recognize the situations in which they are likely to use, find ways of avoiding those situations, and cope more effectively with situations, feelings, and behaviors related to their substance abuse.

PDF, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Used in Treatment of Substance Abuse: Research Findings

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

To achieve these therapeutic goals, cognitive-behavioral therapies incorporate three core elements: (1) functional analysis, (2) coping skills training, and (3) relapse prevention.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) places less emphasis on identifying, understanding, and changing underlying beliefs about the self and the self in relationship to substance abuse. It focuses instead on learning and practicing a variety of coping skills, only some of which are cognitive. A greater emphasis is also placed on using behavioral coping strategies, especially early in therapy. CBT tries to change what the client both does and thinks.

Behavioral cognitive interventions are effective, and can be used with a wide range of substance abusers, and can be conducted within the timeframe of brief therapies. Research has consistently shown that people who expect more positive effects from substances are more likely to abuse them.

Coping Skills Training

A major component in cognitive behavioral therapy is the development of appropriate coping skills. Deficits in coping skills among substance abusers may be the result of a number of possible factors. They may have never developed these skills, possibly because the early onset of substance abuse impaired the development of age-sensitive skills. Previously developed coping skills may have been compromised by an increased reliance on substances use as a primary means of coping. Some clients continue to use skills that are appropriate at an earlier age but are no longer appropriate or effective. Others have appropriate coping skills available to them but are inhibited from using them. Whatever the origin of the deficits, a primary goal of CBT is to help the individual develop and employ coping skills that effectively deal with the demands of high-risk situations without having to resort to substances as an alternative response.

Sources

Source: Kadden, 1995, adapted from Monti et al., 1989.

Presents a list of session topics which served as the foundation for the CBT delivered in Project MATCH (Matching Alcohol Treatment to Client Heterogeneity Project, a large multi site study of treatment matching funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). While the topics used in this particular example were developed for use with clients with alcohol abuse disorders, they are easily adapted to the needs of clients who are abusing other substances.

Source: National Library of Medicine, (excerpts)