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Interpersonal psychotherapy adapted for ambulatory cocaine abusers
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a brief psychological treatment adapted for cocaine abusers, aiming to reduce drug use and improve interpersonal functioning. This approach is being evaluated in clinical trials alongside various medications.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a structured psychological treatment.
- Cocaine abuse presents significant interpersonal and social challenges.
- Existing treatments require adaptation for specific substance use disorders.
Observation:
- Klerman et al. revised IPT for cocaine abusers, focusing on current interpersonal functioning.
- The adapted IPT is a brief, individual psychotherapy.
- Key characteristics include a medical model adherence, focus on interpersonal difficulties, brevity, and consistent focus.
Findings:
- The revised IPT aims to reduce or cease cocaine use.
- It also seeks to develop better coping strategies for interpersonal problems linked to cocaine use.
- The psychotherapy is being tested in combination with medications like desipramine, lithium carbonate, and methylphenidate.
Implications:
- This adapted IPT offers a novel therapeutic strategy for cocaine addiction.
- Combining psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy may enhance treatment efficacy.
- Further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of this combined approach.