
Cognitive therapy offers a well-documented and cost-effective psychosocial treatment model for working with substance abuse disorders. Comprehensive and accessible, this volume clearly details the cognitive model of addiction, the specifics of case formulation, management of the therapeutic relationship, and the structure of the therapy sessions. It discusses how to educate patients in the treatment model and procedures and manage their cravings and urges for drugs and alcohol. Specific cognitive and behavioral strategies and techniques are described in detail, as is the management of acute crises and chronic problems in patients' lives. Methods for understanding and working with such patients who present concomitant problems of depression, anxiety, low frustration tolerance, anger, and personality disorders are spelled out in detail. Also addressed are such significant issues as the prevention and management of relapse.

"[This] textbook explicates and expands on Aaron Beck's applications of cognitive therapy to the addictions with lucid, useful integration and a wide explanation of theory and practice....The techniques used are clearly described and can be used for treatment outcome research to validate the cognitive approach versus other approaches, and to look for subpopulations in which cognitive therapy makes special sense."
-General Hospital Psychiatry
"I will refer to and recommend this book as a bountiful clinical guide....Bolstered by outcome data, this wise and hopeful book will greatly advance integration of cognitive therapy into addiction treatment programs."
-Contemporary Psychology
"One important aspect of this cognitive format is that its techniques can be combined with other therapeutic approaches to addiction, such as the use of AA, family supports, and social network supports....Practitioners of these modalities would do well to adapt the cognitive approach in their work."
-American Journal of Psychiatry
"The strength of the authors' approach is exemplified by the clarity and concision of their writing, and by the operationalization of their constructs....Constitutes a 'gold standard' for the field."
-Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy
"Dr. Beck's stamp is most definitely on this book. He brings a certain clarity to a direct, in-depth discussion of the use of cognitive therapy to treat substance abuse. This is a rich, utilitarian book for clinicians."
-Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Table of Contents1. Overview of Substance Abuse
2. Cognitive Model of Addiction
3. Theory and Therapy of Addiction
4. The Therapeutic Relationship and Its Problems
5. Formulation of the Case
6. Structure of the Therapy Session
7. Educating Patients in the Cognitive Model
8. Setting Goals
9. Techniques of Cognitive Therapy
10. Dealing with Craving/Urges
11. Focus on Beliefs
12. Managing General Life Problems
13. Crisis Intervention
14. Therapy of Depression in Addicted Individuals
15. Anger and Anxiety
16. Concomitant Personality Disorders
17. Relapse Prevention in the Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse
Appendices
About the AuthorsBy
Aaron T. Beck, MD, Fred D. Wright, EdD, Cory F. Newman, PhD, Bruce S. Liese, PhD
AudiencePracticing psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and addictions counselors; instructors, students, and trainees in these fields.
Classroom UseServes as a text in graduate-level courses on the treatment of addictive disorders.