A New Role for Psychology in the Treatment of Drug Abuse

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1995

Publication Title

Psychotherapy in Private Practice

Volume

13

Issue

3

First page number:

73

Last page number:

80

Abstract

In spite of the absence of evidence of effectiveness, non-psychological disciplines and treatment modalities have provided interventions for drug abuse while psychologists have largely neglected this area. Very recently, however, controlled outcome studies have established that psychological treatments for substance abuse are substantially effective, thereby providing psychologists with a firm basis for treatment of this problem. The new methods included drug-urge interruption, competing response training, reinforcement for abstinence, and family assistance, all of which were provided in the Behavior Therapy modality. The results have shown a significant reduction of drug use within two months, enduring for long periods with intermittent treatment. These improvements were evident in youth and adults, males and females, and married and unmarried patients. These findings now provide psychologists with a validated treatment modality, lacking in the non-psychological disciplines, for dealing with this widespread problem.

Disciplines

Psychology | Substance Abuse and Addiction

Language

English


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