title: The heuristic system. Precision and creativity in addiction treatment.
abstract: The Heuristic System (HS) is a method of developing case formulations for use in addiction treatment. Pertinent guidelines, models, or rules of thumb (heuristics) are applied in a stepwise process in order to generate at least two competing or complementary hypotheses concerning the clinical dynamics of the case. These hypothesis are then integrated and/or their relative utility for use in treatment is appraised. Key elements of HS include (a) a model of addiction based on cycles of self-experience, (b) a structured method for arriving at clinical problem formulations, (c) a schematic of the recovery process, (d) a menu of fundamental principles of substance abuse treatment, and (e) a format for providing updatable guidance to the patient for use in treatment. A case developed from the HS approach is presented. This article concludes with a discussion of the implications of HS theory and methods for program design and research.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Heuristics, Inc., Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA. 73541,2307.Compuserve.com
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D003405:Creativity; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011599:Psychopathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*