Abnormal Psychology

Substance Use Disorders 431

9.13 • Feedback Loops in Treating Substance Use Disorders

Figure 9.13g9 3

Treatments Targeting

Neurological Factors

Motivational

enhancement therapy:

Increase motivation

to change substance-

use behaviors

CBT: Cognitive

restructuring, self-

monitoring, problem

solving, relaxation

Twelve-step facilitation

Treatments Targeting

Social Factors

Family Therapy

Group therapy and

self-help groups

Community-based and

residential treatment

Treatments Targeting

Neurological Factors

Detoxification

Medication: For with-

drawal symptoms

and/or to block the

effects of the drug

Changes neural activity

Changes thoughts,

feelings, and

behaviors

Changes social

interactions

Decreases family conflict

Increases social support

Key Concepts and Facts About Treating Substance Use Disorders

• Treatments that focus on neurological factors include detox to
  help reduce symptoms of withdrawal that come from depen-
  dence. Medications may reduce unpleasant withdrawal symp-
  toms or block the pleasant effects of using the substance, which
  can help maintain abstinence.


• Treatments that target psychological factors, such as motivational
  enhancement therapy, are designed to motivate people to decrease

substance use. CBT addresses antecedents, consequences, and

specifi c behaviors related to substance use. Twelve-step facilitation

provides structure and support to help patients to abstain.

• Social factors are targeted by residential treatment and other
  types of community-based treatment (group therapy and self-
  help groups), as well as family therapy to address issues of
  communication, power, and control.