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Behavior therapy for drug abuse: a controlled treatment outcome study
N H Azrin1, P T McMahon, B Donohue
1Nova Southeastern University, Center for Psychological Studies, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Behavioral therapy significantly improves illegal drug abstinence compared to supportive treatment. This approach shows sustained effectiveness for drug-free status and enhances overall well-being.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Clinical psychology
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Illegal drug use remains a significant public health concern.
- Effective treatment strategies for substance use disorders are crucial.
- Previous research indicates varied outcomes for different therapeutic modalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of a behavioral treatment versus supportive treatment for illegal drug use.
- To evaluate long-term outcomes and broader impacts of behavioral interventions.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 82 participants with illegal drug use.
- Behavioral treatment incorporated stimulus control, urge control, contracting, family support, and competing response procedures over an average of 19 sessions.
- Outcomes were assessed at 2, 6, and 12 months, comparing behavioral and supportive conditions.
Main Results:
- Behavioral treatment resulted in significantly higher drug-free rates: 37% at 2 months, 54% at 6 months, and 65% at 12 months, compared to 20% for supportive treatment.
- Effectiveness of behavioral treatment was consistent across various demographics (sex, age, education, marital status) and drug types (hard drugs, cocaine, marijuana).
- Improvements were also observed in employment/school attendance, family relationships, depression, institutionalization, and alcohol use for the behavioral group.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral treatment is a more effective strategy for achieving sustained abstinence from illegal drug use.
- The positive effects extend beyond substance use, improving multiple life domains.
- This approach offers a promising avenue for comprehensive addiction recovery.
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