Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse

Aaron T. Beck is winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Nursing Centers Consortium! 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 substance abuse, 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.