Psychological treatment is a nuclear aspect of drug addiction. The principles of effective treatment proposed by NIDA.Among the recommendations of the American Psychological Association, the treatments with greater validity for treating addictive behaviours belong mainly to a cognitive-behavioural approach. In addition to the effective principles of treatment generally recommended in treating drug addiction, the NIDA also indicates the different scientifically-based psychotherapeutic interventions that should guide the clinician in daily clinical practice.
Prevention Of Relapses
Set of cognitive-behavioural interventions designed by Marlatt and Gordon for the prevention of relapses in alcoholism and which have subsequently been successfully applied to other addictive behaviours. One of the procedures most used by clinicians.
“Matrix” Model.
An approach designed for young people addicted to psychostimulants, with varied components, in which behavioural therapies stand out, along with psychoeducational approaches, self-help strategies, and individual and group psychological counselling.
Expressive Supportive Psychotherapy
Expressive supportive psychotherapy of interest in methadone maintenance treatment, patients presenting mental health problems combined with addictive behaviours. Framed in brief dynamic therapies 7, it analyses the relationship between feelings, behaviour and drugs.
Individualized Advice.
It brings together a series of psychological and social strategies of a diverse nature that could mostly be registered within the field of behaviour modification, with special emphasis on problems derived from or associated with drug use. It emphasizes establishing short-term goals, developing adequate coping strategies for the problems associated with withdrawal, and guiding the patient towards the most appropriate community services to cover their medical, social, economic, employment, etc. needs.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy.
A psychological counselling technique that seeks to increase the patient’s motivation to abandon drug use. It seeks to use the patient’s intellectual resources or the elements of her environment that facilitate the desired change towards abstinence.
Behavioural Therapy For Adolescents.
Therapeutic strategy based on behaviour therapy principles such as stimulus control, behaviour modelling, and contingent reinforcement. In this therapeutic approach for adolescents with drug problems, special attention is paid to the mechanisms of social control involving the family or other significant people for the patient in the therapeutic process.
Multidimensional Family Therapy For Adolescents.
This therapeutic approach is designed for adolescents with drug problems, as in the previous case. However, unlike behavioural therapy for adolescents, it focuses on family relationships since the addictive problem is seen as the product of a network of influences, in which the family network plays a key role.
Multisystem Therapy.
The intensive therapeutic approach is aimed at adolescents with drug problems and marked antisocial behaviour.
Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) Plus
Multimodal therapy has been one of the approaches that have been best evaluated according to the NIDA and has been used successfully with alcoholics, heroin addicts and cocaine addicts. Vouchers are based on the token economy and are proof of negative urine tests that can be exchanged for various reinforcements. Sometimes it is combined with a Disulfiran prescription.
Reinforcement Therapy In Methadone Maintenance Programs.
Similar to the previous approach, it focuses on progressively reinforcing abstinence periods in patients on the methadone program.
Day Treatment With Reinforcement.
Similar to the two previous approaches but applied to homeless addicts. Includes counselling and psychoeducational groups.