A dose response study of cognitive behavioral therapy in cocaine abusers.
In order to evaluate the effect of frequency of counseling sessions, we studied retention, cocaine use and craving, and psychiatric symptoms of 68 cocaine-dependent outpatients randomly assigned to twice weekly, once weekly, or biweekly sessions in a 12-week treatment program that utilized manual-based, individual cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. All participants were tested and monitored twice a week. Retention was comparable among treatment groups, and improvement was found regardless of counseling frequency. Cocaine use (urine toxicology and self-report), cocaine craving (VAS), and total psychiatric symptoms (SCL-90) decreased by modest but statistically significant (p < 0.05) amounts in all treatment groups. Findings suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in reducing cocaine use even if a less intensive schedule is used.
Covi
Lino
L
National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. lcovi@intra.nida.nih.gov
Hess
Judith M
JM
Schroeder
Jennifer R
JR
Preston
Kenzie L
KL
D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000652:urine; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D013997:Time Factors