Question

Part A

Please pick one behavioral, biomedical, or psychosocial treatment method. In thinking about this method, what are 2 benefits and drawbacks? Please be sure to be detailed in your discussion. (Using: Treatment method for Alcohol Abuse).

Part B

Find a scholarly research article which discusses the effectiveness of the treatment method you chose to discuss in Part A of this forum. What was the population under study? were the methods used, results, and practical implications of this study? Do you think the results of this study would be effective for all population? Why or why not? Would another treatment have worked better for the population under study? Why or why not? Please do not discuss vaccinations for opioid addiction, or the nicotine patch.

Answer 1

I would discuss about behavioral treatment method.Alcohol abuse is over usage of alcohol which can cause harm or distress.The person starts drinking more because feeling of drinking causes feel good hormones endorphins to release into the brain. types of behavioral treatments include:

• Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy can take place one-on-one with a therapist or in small groups. This form of therapy is focused on identifying the feelings and situations (called “cues”) that lead to heavy drinking and managing stress that can lead to relapse. The goal is to change the thought processes that lead to excessive drinking and to develop the skills necessary to cope with everyday situations that might trigger problem drinking.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy is conducted over a short period of time to build and strengthen motivation to change drinking behavior. The therapy focuses on identifying the pros and cons of seeking treatment, forming a plan for making changes in one’s drinking, building confidence, and developing the skills needed to stick to the plan.
• Marital and Family Counseling incorporates spouses and other family members in the treatment process and can play an important role in repairing and improving family relationships. Studies show that strong family support through family therapy increases the chances of maintaining abstinence (stopping drinking), compared with patients undergoing individual counseling.
• Brief Interventions are short, one-on-one or small-group counseling sessions that are time limited. The counselor provides information about the individual’s drinking pattern and potential risks. After receiving personalized feedback, the counselor will work with the client to set goals and provide ideas for helping to make a change.

Advantages of behavioral method

1. It cures the addiction from psycological level thereby causing person to think good and positive.

2. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help addicts improve their self-image. As their self-esteem blossoms, they will no longer desire nor feel the need to engage in behaviors that are self-destructive.

Disadvantages

1. Since the treatment is based on thought process, clients with anxiety may become more anxious when they begin to focus intently on their thoughts.

2. It may not be suitable or appropriate for people with deep trauma and scarring that hasn't been resolved.

I have a scholarly article :

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment With Adult Alcohol and Illicit Drug Users: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The population under study were 58

Method: The inverse variance weighted effect size (Hedges’g) was calculated for each study and pooled using fixed and random effects methods. Potential study-level moderators were assessed in subgroup analyses by primary drug, type of CBT, and type of comparison condition. In addition, seven client and treatment variables were examined in meta-regression analyses.

Results:

Across studies, CBT produced a small but statistically significant treatment effect (g= 0.154,p< .005). The pooled effect was somewhat lower at 6-9 months (g= 0.115,p< .005) and continued to diminish at12-month follow-up (g= 0.096,p< .05). The effect of CBT was largest in marijuana studies (g= 0.513,p< .005) and in studies with a no-treat-ment control as the comparison condition (g= 0.796,p< .005). Meta-regression analyses indicated that the percentage of female participants was positively associated and the number of treatment sessions was negatively associated with effect size.

This method was not effective for all population because only females proved to show positve effects.