Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse [Hardcover]

Aaron T. Beck MD (Author), Fred D. Wright (Author), Cory F. Newman PhD (Author), Bruce S. Liese PhD (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0898621151 | ISBN-13: 978-0898621150 | Publication Date: August 13, 1993 | Edition: 1st

An ideal treatment manual that can be utilized independently, or in conjunction with psychopharmacological or 12-step programs, this book was written in response to the ever-growing need for cost-effective treatments for substance abuse disorders. Representing a major advance for meeting this pressing need, cognitive therapy offers a well-documented and demonstrably efficacious psychosocial treatment model for working with these intractable problems. Based on the research and practical experience of Aaron T. Beck and his colleagues, COGNITIVE THERAPY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE demonstrates how cognitive therapy can be used to effectively work with substance abusers and provides a detailed set of methods that can easily be replicated by therapists and counselors alike.

Comprehensive and accessible, this volume clearly details the cognitive model of addiction, the specifics of case formulation, management of the therapeutic relationship, and the structure of the therapy sessions. It discusses how to educate patients in the treatment model and procedures and manage their cravings and urges for drugs and alcohol. Specific cognitive and behavioral strategies and techniques are described in detail, as is the management of acute crises and chronic problems in patients' lives. Methods for understanding and working with such patients who present concomitant problems of depression, anxiety, low frustration tolerance, anger, and personality disorders are spelled out in detail. Also addressed are such significant issues as relapse prevention and the management of relapse when it occurs.

Unlike the many works that focus on theory and epidemiology, COGNITIVE THERAPY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE concentrates on clinical procedures in a way that is both teachable and testable. Offering an effective approach that can be utilized in a variety of settings, this book will be valued by all mental health practitioners and counselors who work with substance abusers, regardless of the extent of their previous experience with either cognitive therapy or substance abuse.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a wonderfully practical volume written in the classic style of Beck and collaborators. It sets forth masterful techniques in a clear straightforward fashion. The specific examples of therapy sessions are especially helpful for the beginning therapist. This book is much more than a manual because it deals with history and theory. However, in its role as a manual, it clearly tells the therapist "how to do it" in an interesting and readable fashion. I particularly like the coping with cravings section. The authors demonstrate their experience with substance abusers obtained during several controlled treatment studies involving cognitive therapy as one of the treatment modalities in drug dependent individuals. The cognitive behavioral techniques described for "coping and craving" show ingenuity and understanding of the problem. This book has nuggets of information even for experienced therapists, but it is a special gold mine for the novice." --Charles P. O'Brien, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of Psychiatry, VA Medical Center

"Aaron Beck, Fred Wright, Cory Newman, and Bruce Liese have written the definitive volume on cognitive therapy for substance abuse. From its detailed history of research and thinking about addiction, to its carefully outlined therapy sessions and testing material, to its specifics about concurrent treatment for anxiety, depression, and personality disorders, this book immediately becomes the primary reference in the field. Moreover, understanding the long history and success of Dr. Beck's pre-eminent therapeutic work for depression and anxiety gives readers inordinate confidence that the methods described here really work." --Stanton Peele, Ph.D., Author, The Truth About Addiction And Recovery

"This is a remarkable and valuable book! Dr. Beck's internationally heralded contributions to psychotherapy were first directed at disorders of mood and thought. He and his colleagues now apply his cognitive approach to substance abuse, with strong theoretical grounding, and with great clinical acumen. Because of its straightforward descriptions of technique, this book is of material value to both students and experienced clinicians alike." --Marc Galanter, M.D., Director, Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and Professor of Psychiatry, New York University

"Beck's cognitive approaches to psychotherapy have had a greater impact, than any other innovation, on the treatment of depression, personality disorders, and substance abuse, and are classics in the psychiatric literature. This long awaited textbook expands on and explicates Aaron Beck's applications of cognitive therapy of the addictions with lucid, useful integration and wise explanation of theory and practice. The book is full of case material, concrete suggestions, and practical advice on how to formulate treatment plans, change patient beliefs, educate patients, alter response to external and internal stimuli and feeling states which lead to relapse and to develop new tools in coping with craving and managing life problems. It is a landmark work that will be widely read and will inform the practice of all therapists. Anyone interested in clinical work with addicted patients will be richly rewarded by studying this treasure trove of wise and easy to apply techniques that enhance treatment results." --Richard J. Frances, Director, Department of Psychiatry, Hackensack Medical Center and Professor of CLinical Psychiatry, UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School

"As pioneers in the field of cognitive therapy, Dr. Beck and his colleagues have applied their wealth of knowledge and experience with this modality to the treatment of substance abuse. The result is a well-written, lucid, thought-provoking book. Numerous case examples, filled with concrete recommendations regarding how to handle difficult situations, help make this book enormously valuable for clinicians working with substance abusers. Few books offer so much--a coherent theoretical framework, guidelines for conducting treatment, and a thoughtful analysis of the research literature. This is a much needed contribution to the field." --Roger D. Weiss, M.D., McLean Hospital

"This book offers the reader some excellent support in working with those individuals who suffer from the disease of addiction. This book is both practical and helpful. Identifying and changing cognitive distortions common to drug and alcohol abusers both assists in obtaining a recovery program based on abstinence as well as maintaining sobriety. I particularly enjoyed the examples of specific sessions between client and therapist. They offer a clear and demonstrative view of how this material can be useful in almost any clinical setting." --Katie Evans, CADC NCACII, Addiction Counselor

"Straightforward style. Practical, down-to-earth strategies, yet substantive material." --Bruce A. Heller, Ph.D., Antioch University

"This book is an excellent treatment guide for any clinician....I highly recommend it." --Judith Gordon in The Behavior Therapist

"This long-awaited textbook explicates and expands on Aaron Beck's applications of cognitive therapy to the addictions with lucid, uuseful integration and a wide explanation of theory and practice...A landmark work that will be widely read and will inform the practice of all therapists...The techniques recommended in this book need no be thought of as having to be applied in pure form and can easily be combined with other approaches...Perhaps what is most valuable is the distillation of clinical wisdom of Dr. Beck and his colleagues. The techniqes used are clearly described and can be used for treatment outcome research to validate the cognitive approach versus other approaches, and to look for subpopulations in which cognitive therapy makes special sense." --Richard J. Frances, M.D. in General Hospital Psychiatry

"The book is clearly written and contains numerous examples to assist the reader in understanding and applying the methods and procedures being discussed. The authors make use of many helpful diagrams and transcripts of therapeutic dialogues to further solidify the reader's conceptual and practical understanding. In addition, the text contains several appendices full of useful inventories, psychometric scales, checklists, and self-monitoring record forms... this book is expertly written, highly informative, easy to read and understand, scientifically sound, a valuable contribution to the field of substance abuse treatment." -- Clifford N. Lazarus, from Child & Family Behavior Therapy

About the Author

Aaron T. Beck, MD, is University Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the founder of cognitive therapy. He has published more than 20 books and over 540 articles in professional and scientific journals. Dr. Beck is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award, the American Psychological Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Psychiatric Association Distinguished Service Award, the Robert J. and Claire Pasarow Foundation Award for Research in Neuropsychiatry, and the Institute of Medicine's Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health and Gustav O. Lienhard Award. He is President of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Honorary President of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 354 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1st edition (August 13, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898621151
• ISBN-13: 978-0898621150
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #638,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beck on Substance Abuse, June 14, 2009

By 

R. Walden "Ross Walden, M.Ed., P.L.P.C." (Columbia, MO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse (Hardcover)

This is the ultimate treatise on cognitive therapy in a substance abuse setting. Straight from the father of cognitive therapy, "Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse" is a clear, concise guide to providing effective therapy in both outpatient and inpatient settings. It is an indispensible part of any substance abuse counselor's library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading For Substance Abuse Treatment, December 27, 2008

By 

William J. Urell Jr. - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse (Paperback)

This book is a foundational work. Be advised that it is not casual reading but is more like a textbook. This work has spawned many take offs and add ons, but for my money going right to the source is best. There is certainly material in here that can be put to immediate use.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse, June 16, 2008

By 

P. J. Prillman (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse (Paperback)

This book is a must read for therapists and clients alike. It presents a thorough explanation of the mechanics and the employment of CBT as it relates to substance abuse. The authors extract dialogue from real counseling sessions to give the reader concrete examples of how CBT can be used to strengthen the problem-solving and coping skills that will guide the client through the process of recovery.