Psychosocial Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Psychotherapy and psychosocial treatment in addiction psychiatry are comprised of a number of structured and unstructured interventions aimed at interrupting the cycle of addiction. These treatments include cognitive, behavioral, motivation, mindfulness, mutual support, psychodynamic, and systems-based approaches. This chapter examines these various approaches by providing a brief description and evidence for specific interventions in various treatment settings, use disorders, and patient populations. While there are a number of treatments available, treatment selection is tailored to the individual. This chapter discusses the role of psychotherapy and psychosocial treatment in disrupting learned patterns, identifying reasons for change, providing external motivation when needed, increasing awareness of triggers, developing an understanding of the inner life, providing a richer understanding and control of the inner life, nurturing self-worth, admitting fault in disrupted relationships, and utilizing support networks. By the end of this chapter, one should have a cursory understanding of evidence-based nonpharmacologic treatments of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions.