Need for psychosocial interventions: From resistance to therapeutic alliance

Addictive disorders have a strong psychosocial component in their etiogenesis, and hence psychosocial approaches form a significant part of management planning with a role in prevention, treatment, relapse prevention and long term rehabilitation. Due to a number of myths and misconceptions associated with addictive disorders, there is often strong resistance from the patients as well as the families towards treatment. The disorder is often perceived as a bad habit and hence not requiring treatment. It is very important to break this barrier to bring the patient and the family in treatment engagement. This article summarizes the need for psychosocial management of the addictive disorders, dealing with treatment resistance building therapeutic alliance, and improving the long term outcome.