title: Cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use disorders.
abstract: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for substance use disorders has shown efficacy as a monotherapy and as part of combination treatment strategies. This article provides a review of the evidence supporting the use of CBT, clinical elements of its application, novel treatment strategies for improving treatment response, and dissemination efforts. Although CBT for substance abuse is characterized by heterogeneous treatment elements such as operant learning strategies, cognitive and motivational elements, and skills-building interventions, across protocols several core elements emerge that focus on overcoming the powerfully reinforcing effects of psychoactive substances. These elements, and support for their efficacy, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA. rkmchugh@bu.edu
authors.forename: R Kathryn
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.forename: Bridget A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hearon
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Otto
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs