Therapist techniques used during the cognitive therapy of opiate-dependent patients

Consistency of Interpersonal Themes for Patients In Psychotherapy

“…Cognitive therapy was characterized by significantly more focus on identifying cognitive distortions, behavioral techniques, directiveness, and challenging cognitive beliefs (Luborsky et al, 1982). A more detailed analysis of the cognitive techniques used in the treatment sessions from the Woody et al (1983) study was recently described by Baranackie, Crits-Christoph, and Kurcias (1992). Using the Collaborative Study Psychotherapy Rating Scale (HoUon et al, 1988), these authors found that the cognitive techniques predominated over the behavioral techniques within the cognitive therapy condition and that relative to dytiamic therapy, cognitive therapy was significantly more successful in establishing a collaborative structure between patient and therapist.…”

Assessment of an Abstinence-Oriented, Outpatient Drug Addiction Service in Greece

“…It is the only drug-addiction outpatient program operating in Greece and is a specialized abstinence-oriented service that does not administer substance substitutes. Individual cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (Baranackie, Crits-Christoph, & Kurcias, 1992;Papacostas, 1994;Liese & Franz, 1996;McCartney, 1997;Pollack, Penava, Bolton, Worthington, Allen, Farach, & Otto, 2002) and family interventions of a family system orientation (Stanton, 1979;Pomini, Liappas, & Papavassiliou, 1997;O'Farrell & Fals-Stewart, 2002) are the principal therapeutic techniques applied.…”

“…Cognitive behavioral therapy is applied to minimize excessive emotional reactions and self-destructive behavior and help modify ways of thinking and the maladaptive beliefs that ensue from these reactions (McCartney, 1997;Copeland, et al, 2001;Latimer, et al, 2003). These beliefs are usually activated either from internal stimuli, e.g., anxiety or depressed mood, or from external stimuli, e.g., problems in relating to others, or environmental issues, supported by automatic thoughts and emotions, giving rise to a craving for a substance, which in conjunction with various 'facilitating beliefs' provides an excuse to the addict for the continuation of abuse (Baranackie, et al, 1992;Liappas, 1992;Papacostas, 1994;Edwards & Dare, 1996;Woody, et al, 1999;Pollack, et al, 2002). In this context, therapists attempt to find out which of the client's life problems, such as relationship difficulties, unemployment, health problems, trouble with the law, unstable living arrangements, etc., contribute to the onset and perpetuation of substance abuse, as well as which problems are sequelae of the drug use.…”