WHAT PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES ARE USED TO TREAT ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE?
The best known treatment for alcohol abuse/dependence is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The AA approach is consistent with the medical model and includes a strong spiritual component. Abstinence (no drinking at all) is the treatment goal. Research has shown AA is effective for those who stick with it. One of its strengths is peer support and encouragement. However, AA has high dropout rates. Two common psychological treatments have similar effectiveness to AA. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps a client change his/her drinking as well as their risky attitudes and beliefs. The goal of CBT can be either no drinking or moderate/controlled drinking (i.e., harm-reduction). CBT helps the client identify his/her own unique high-risk situations for heavy drinking. Then, they develop plans and skills that are alternatives to heavy drinking in these situations. CBT also increases the client’s confidence about his/her ability to resist heavy drinking. Because alcohol abuse/dependence has high
