Enhancing brief cognitive-behavioral therapy with motivational enhancement techniques in cocaine users.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the impact of enhancing brief cognitive-behavioral therapy with motivational interviewing techniques for cocaine abuse or dependence, using a focused intervention paradigm.


METHODS
Participants (n=74) who met current criteria for cocaine abuse or dependence were randomized to three-session cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or three-session enhanced CBT (MET+CBT), which included an initial session of motivational enhancement therapy (MET). Outcome measures included treatment retention, process measures (e.g., commitment to abstinence, satisfaction with treatment), and cocaine use.


RESULTS
Participants who received the MET+CBT intervention attended more drug treatment sessions following the study interventions, reported significantly greater desire for abstinence and expectation of success, and they expected greater difficulty in maintaining abstinence compared to the CBT condition. There were no differences across treatment conditions on cocaine use.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings offer mixed support for the addition of MET as an adjunctive approach to CBT for cocaine users. In addition, the study provides evidence for the feasibility of using short-term studies to test the effects of specific treatment components or refinements on measures of therapy process and outcome.
McKee
Sherry A
SA
Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA. sherry.mckee@yale.edu
Carroll
Kathleen M
KM
Sinha
Rajita
R
Robinson
Jane E
JE
Nich
Charla
C
Cavallo
Dana
D
O'Malley
Stephanie
S
D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome