The profile of patients who attend specific treatment centres is constantly evolving. The figure of the drug addict with a long history of polydrug use, with associated illnesses, without an educational level, without a job, and marginal occupation is no longer a majority.
Our patients have more varied profiles, and often one of the requirements is to offer them fast and efficient care. However, this demand cannot always be offered to them due to their clinical situation or the excess demand for care. In any case, there will be a group of patients in which a brief intervention may be appropriate, and we must be able to offer it to our clients.
investigate a potential problem
brief intervention
Brief interventions can be defined as those practices intended to investigate a potential problem and motivate an individual to start doing something about substance abuse. It is not a substitute for those with a high level of dependency. The ultimate goal is to reduce the harm from continued substance use. The duration is 1 to 40 sessions, with typical therapy between 6 and 20 sessions. The goal is to provide patients with tools to change basic attitudes and manage underlying problems. It differs from long-term therapy in that the focus is on the present, emphasizes the use of therapeutic tools in a shorter time, and focuses on more specific behaviour change rather than large-scale or bigger change 12.
brief therapies are less expensive
initial treatment
The content of the interventions will vary depending on the type of substance, the severity of the problem and the desired result. Because brief therapies are less expensive, they can be available to more people and tailored to clients’ needs. They can provide immediate care to clients on waiting lists to enter specialized programs as an initial treatment for at-risk users and complement more extensive treatment for dependent persons.
Psychological Intervention In Addictive Behaviours.
Psychological intervention in addictive behaviours must be adjusted, as is done in other disciplines, to the use of techniques and treatments that have demonstrated their usefulness in said field. It starts from the assumption that any psychological intervention does not have to be justified; therefore, there is no reason to apply treatments or techniques to patients that have not been validated. Method: The different types of psychological treatments currently have empirical support and recommended by the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the Society of Clinical Psychology (Division 12 of the American Psychological Association) are reviewed.
treatment of addictive behaviours
psychological intervention
Some treatments with a brief psychological intervention format recommended by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment are reviewed.
addictive behaviours
Results: In the treatment of addictive behaviours, different psychological intervention approaches have been used.
empirical validity
However, only cognitive-behavioural therapies have empirical validity in this area of intervention.
framework of cognitive-behavioural therapy
On the other hand, some interventions in the form of brief therapy can be useful in the treatment. Conclusions: It is concluded that psychological treatment is a core aspect in the treatment of drug addiction, and based on the information currently available, and with few exceptions, the most recommendable psychological interventions in addictive behaviours are within the framework of cognitive-behavioural therapy. However, only cognitive-behavioural therapies have empirical validity in this field of intervention.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies
On the other hand, some interventions in the form of brief therapy can be useful in the treatment. Conclusions: It is concluded that psychological treatment is a core aspect in the treatment of drug addiction, and based on the information currently available, and with few exceptions, the most recommendable psychological interventions in addictive behaviours are within the framework of cognitive-behavioural therapy. However, only cognitive-behavioural therapies have empirical validity in this field of intervention. On the other hand, some interventions in the form of brief therapy can be useful in the treatment Conclusions: It is concluded that psychological treatment is a core aspect in the treatment of drug addiction and, based on the information currently available and with few exceptions, the most recommended psychological interventions in addictive behaviours are within the framework of cognitive-behavioural therapy.