Psychotherapy for Clients With Addictive Disorders
In a 5- to 10-slide PowerPoint presentation, address the following. Your title and references slides do not count toward the 5- to 10-slide limit.
Provide an overview of the article you selected.
What population (individual, group, or family) is under consideration?
What was the specific intervention that was used? Is this a new intervention or one that was already studied?
What were the author’s claims?
Explain the findings/outcomes of the study in the article. Include whether this will translate into practice with your own clients. If so, how? If not, why?
Explain whether the limitations of the study might impact your ability to use the findings/outcomes presented in the article.
Use the Notes function of PowerPoint to craft presenter notes to expand upon the content of your slides.
Support your response with at least three other peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources. Explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Provide references to your sources on your last slide. Be sure to include the article you used as the basis for this Assignment. Psychotherapy for Clients With Addictive Disorders
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely studied and used intervention for alcohol and drug disorders. This article reviews its effectiveness, focusing on variations in application and factors that influence outcomes. CBT is well-established and effective when compared to minimal or usual care, but it hasn’t consistently demonstrated superiority over other empirically-supported treatments. The article also highlights CBT’s modular format, making it adaptable for different populations and for digital delivery, though research on its mechanisms of action is limited.
The population discussed in this article is adults diagnosed with alcohol or drug use disorders. The research spans a wide range of substances, although alcohol use is the most commonly studied. Comorbid conditions, such as depression, are sometimes included in trials, expanding the relevance of CBT in more complex cases. This article’s focus on adults may limit its direct application to adolescent populations, but it does provide insights for adult populations at risk for substance-related consequences. Psychotherapy for Clients With Addictive Disorders
The intervention examined is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on managing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to substance use. CBT often includes coping skills training and relapse prevention techniques (Wheeler, 2020). The article explores variations of CBT, including combinations with Motivational Interviewing (MI), Contingency Management (CM), and pharmacotherapy. Notably, it highlights the growing interest in digital CBT for alcohol use, where CBT is delivered online or via apps, making it more accessible, especially in underserved areas.
The authors assert that CBT is effective for treating alcohol and other drug (AOD) disorders, particularly when combined with other therapies like MI and CM. However, CBT does not consistently show superiority over other evidence-based interventions. The article points out that while CBT is well-established, data on its mechanisms of action, such as why it works and how it influences behaviour change, limiting the ability of the change process to attain the targeted outcomes. The modular nature of CBT also allows for its application in various formats, including digital. Psychotherapy for Clients With Addictive Disorders
The study finds that CBT demonstrates small-to-moderate effectiveness for treating AOD disorders. When combined with MI, CM, or pharmacotherapy, outcomes are enhanced. Digital CBT showed significant promise as both a stand-alone and adjunct therapy, particularly for alcohol use. The article suggests that CBT’s adaptability makes it a valuable tool in clinical practice. These findings can be translated into practice, particularly for clients with alcohol use disorders, but tailored approaches and follow-up strategies are critical.
The article highlights several limitations, including the lack of conclusive evidence on CBT’s superiority compared to other treatments. Additionally, long-term outcomes were often not measured, and there is limited understanding of CBT’s specific mechanisms of action. The effect sizes found were typically small, and many trials did not account for diverse samples. These limitations may impact how the findings can be applied in practice, particularly in cases where more personalized or longer-term treatment strategies are required.
CBT’s flexibility and adaptability allow for its integration into various clinical settings, including for clients with alcohol and drug use disorders. The findings suggest that digital CBT could help extend access to care, especially in underserved or rural areas. In practice, combining CBT with pharmacotherapy or other psychosocial interventions can enhance outcomes. However, successful implementation may depend on overcoming barriers like digital literacy, engagement, and clinician training (Reho et al., 2024). Tailoring CBT to individual client needs will also be key in maximizing its effectiveness. Psychotherapy for Clients With Addictive Disorders