Psychological Addiction: Meaning, Symptoms, Treatment

For some people, a multimodal approach may offer the best possible treatment. Psychoeducation programs can teach problem-solving skills and ways to cope with alcohol use disorder. They can also provide information on signs that a person is having trouble with recovery.

What Does It Mean To Have a Substance Abuse Problem?

Psychological approaches vary depending on the theoretical models underpinning them. Broadly, psychological interventions can be classified into behavioural, cognitive, psychodynamic, humanistic, systemic, motivational, disease, and social and environmental. The emphasis of each therapy is different, depending on the theoretical underpinning of the approach. Behavioural approaches, for example, are based on the premise that excessive drinking is a learned habit and therefore influenced by principles of behaviour.

Contingency management versus other active interventions

The review team conducted a systematic review of RCTs that assessed the beneficial or detrimental effects of motivational techniques in the treatment of alcohol dependence or harmful alcohol use. To avoid double counting, the number of participants in treatment conditions used in more than one comparison was divided (by half in a three-arm trial and by three in a four-arm trial). Non-pharmacological treatments are an important therapeutic option for people with alcohol-related problems. There is an evidence base psychological dependence on alcohol for acupuncture in reducing craving but not alcohol consumption in a number of small trials. Anecdotal evidence suggests that acupuncture, like psychological treatment, is valued by service users both in alcohol misuse and substance misuse services (although the evidence base for effectiveness is weak). The results of this study will have important implications for increased treatment choice in the NHS for people who misuse alcohol.

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• Symptoms typically include anxiety, shakiness, sweating, vomiting, fast heart rate, and a mild fever.
• It’s like a key that unlocks different parts of our personality, sometimes revealing hidden aspects of ourselves.
• See Table 52 below for a summary of the clinical review protocol for the review of contingency management).
• Alcohol use disorder, more colloquially known as alcoholism­, refers to a problematic pattern of alcohol use that leads to significant impairment or distress.

Stress, trauma, and emotional regulation play pivotal roles in the development and maintenance of alcoholism. Many individuals turn to alcohol as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions or traumatic experiences. While it https://ecosoberhouse.com/ may provide temporary relief, this coping mechanism often exacerbates the underlying issues and can lead to a vicious cycle of dependence. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) outlines specific criteria for diagnosing AUD, ranging from mild to severe. These criteria include things like drinking more or longer than intended, wanting to cut down but being unable to, and experiencing cravings.

The GDG discussed and agreed that the main outcomes of interest related to drinking-focused outcomes. When considering the evidence presented, it should be noted that due to the lack of consistent critical outcomes assessed across studies, the number of studies evaluating the same outcomes within the included reviews was generally low. Outcomes had to be grouped according to more general outcomes that would indicate efficacy of treatment (for example, outcomes relating to abstinence, the amount of alcohol consumed and the frequency or intensity of consumption).

Stimulus control of behavior

The DSM-5 integrates alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence into a single disorder with mild, moderate, and severe sub-classifications. Nearly 14 million people—more men than women—in the United States have a problem with alcohol use. Issues surrounding alcohol are highest among young adults ages 18 to 29 and lowest among adults ages 65 and older.

• This question should be answered using a randomised controlled design that reports short-and medium-term outcomes (including cost-effectiveness outcomes) of at least 18 months’ duration.
• Armed with a deeper understanding of the psychological underpinnings of alcohol use and misuse, psychologists have developed various interventions to address alcohol-related issues.
• A further important difference between the treatment of adults and young people concerns the presence of comorbidities.
• See Table 32 below for a summary of the clinical review protocol for the review of motivational techniques.

WALITZER2009 assessed a directive approach to TSF versus a motivational approach to TSF in addition to treatment-as-usual (coping skills). Prevention of alcoholism may be attempted by regulating and limiting the sale of alcohol (particularly to minors), taxing alcohol to increase its cost, and providing education and inexpensive treatment. Due to medical problems that can occur during withdrawal, alcohol detoxification should be carefully controlled.

15. SHORT-TERM PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY

The exploration of this definition lays the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the subsequent discussions on its historical, societal, and global dimensions. Read about the effects of binge drinking, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and more. The cycle of alcoholism and depression is not permanent, but it requires a holistic and integrated treatment approach to overcome. Addressing both conditions simultaneously through therapy, support groups, and medical interventions can provide the tools needed for recovery. Recognising this cycle and seeking professional help is the first step toward breaking free from its grip. Incorporating prescribed medication can help curb your desire for alcohol or relieve any withdrawal symptoms.

TTM Psychology: Exploring Trichotillomania and Its Impact on Mental Health

Again, this result was based on a single study (ERIKSEN1986B) limiting the ability to generalise the findings. All five included trials assessed counselling versus another active intervention and met criteria for inclusion. The content and definition of couples therapy can vary and reflect different approaches, for example cognitive behavioural or psychodynamic. Couples-based interventions (including behavioural couples therapy BCT) involve the spouse or partner expressing active support for the person who misuses alcohol in reducing alcohol use, including support via the use of behavioural contracts. Of the eight included trials, six assessed motivational techniques versus another active intervention met criteria for inclusion.

The literature search identified a number of primary studies investigating the efficacy of psychological interventions for children and young people. However, the participant population in the majority of these studies did not reach inclusion criteria for drinking severity and could not be classified as dependent/harmful. See Table 86 for a summary of the clinical review protocol for the review of psychological interventions for children and young people. For each intervention, the costs of psychological treatment and any disease endpoints for a hypothetical cohort of 1000 patients were compared with standard care over a 20-year time horizon, to determine any net healthcare cost savings. All four therapies demonstrated net savings ranging from £274,008 (coping/social skills Oxford House training) to £80,452 (BSCT) in comparison with standard care.