Behavioral Couples Therapy for Substance Abuse
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Description

This is a therapeutic program for couples with problems associated with drug abuse.
The intervention develops training in communication skills, such as active listening and direct expression of feelings, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions to enable them to cope with drug exposure, identify high-risk situations, cope with relapse, and deal with thoughts of using.
Couples are encouraged to find positive behaviors and enjoyable activities to share together, and to increase relationship satisfaction.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies show statistically significant reductions in the severity and consequences of abusing alcohol and other drugs, as well as in spousal violence and the severity of family and social problems. No statistically significant effects were observed on indicators of days of abstinence from psychoactive substances, psychiatric problems, satisfaction with marital relationship, and employability rates [1] [2] [3].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Fals-Stewart, W. (2000). Behavioral couples therapy versus individual-based treatment for male substance-abusing patients An evaluation of significant individual change and comparison of improvement rates. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 18(3), 249–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0740-5472(99)00059-8

[2] Winters, J., Fals-Stewart, W., O'Farrell, T. J., Birchler, G. R., & Kelley, M. L. (2002). Behavioral couples therapy for female substance-abusing patients: effects on substance use and relationship adjustment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(2), 344.

[3] Fals-Stewart, W., Birchler, G. R., & Kelley, M. L. (2006). Learning sobriety together: A randomized clinical trial examining behavioral couples therapy with alcoholic female patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(3), 579.

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