Discussion and Evaluation of the Added Benefits of Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Addictive Disorders

Author(s): Hawraa Sameer Sajwani

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been used in the treatment of patients with alcohol/substance use disorders alone or in combination with other psychotherapeutic techniques and pharmacological interventions. It has also been applied for patients with polysubstance dependence or with co-occurring mental health disorders. Evidence from many observational studies and interventional clinical trials have shown that CBT is an effective treatment strategy for addictive disorders including substance use and behavioral disorders such as gambling and internet addiction. It has comparable efficacy to other psychotherapeutic treatment modalities. However, there have been mixed results when CBT is combined with other psychotherapeutic strategies. Further research is needed to determine the most effective approach and the ideal number of sessions or duration of treatment required. This paper explores the added benefits of using CBT in addiction treatment.