Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Disorders: Is a One-Size-Fits-All Approach Appropriate?
Year: 2023
Type: review
Abstract: Purpose: We provide an overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) efficacy for adult alcohol or other drug use disorders (AOD) and consider some key variations in application as well as contextual (ie, moderators) or mechanistic (ie, mediators) factors related to intervention outcomes. Methods: This work is a narrative overview of the review literature on CBT for AOD. Results: Robust evidence suggests the efficacy of classical/traditional CBT compared to minimal and usual care control conditions. CBT combined with another evidence-based treatment such as Motivational Interviewing, Contingency Management, or pharmacotherapy is also efficacious compared to minimal and usual care control conditions, but no form of CBT consistently demonstrates efficacy compared to other empirically-supported modalities. CBT and integrative forms of CBT have potential for flexible application such as use in a digital format. Data on mechanisms of action, however, are quite limited and this is despite preliminary evidence that shows that CBT effect sizes on mechanistic outcomes (ie, secondary measures of psychosocial adjustment) are moderate and typically larger than those for AOD use. Conclusion: CBT for AOD is a well-established intervention with demonstrated efficacy, effect sizes are in the small-to-moderate range, and there is potential for tailoring given the modular format of the intervention. Future work should consider mechanisms of CBT efficacy and key conditions for dissemination and implementation with fidelity.
DOI: 10.2147/sar.s362864
Authors: Molly Magill, Brian D Kiluk, Lara A Ray
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,320
Awards: Technical, Relational, & Conditional Process Models of MI Efficacy: Meta-Analysis, A Meta-Analysis of CBT/RP Efficacy, Moderated Efficacy, and Mediation, Integrating Cognitive Neuroscience Toward Understanding of Mechanisms of CBT for Alcohol Use Disorders, Clinical Neuroscience of Alcoholism: Integrating Neuroscience and Clinical Trials, Optimal Endpoints in Clinical Trials of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for AOD: An Aggregate and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis, Yale Clinical and Translational Science Award
OpenAlex ID: W4321332754