PSYCHOLOGICAL BASES OF THE TREATMENT OF DRUG-DEPENDENCE

There is substantial scientific support for the effectiveness of psychological techniques in the treatment of drug addiction, based on empirical evidence demonstrating that drug use and abuse behaviours are operant behaviours, and that contingencies play a determinant role in their explanation. Behaviour therapy offers empirically validated approaches that are considered essential strategies for the effective treatment of drug addiction. Operant (contingency management), classical conditioning (exposure) and cognitive-behavioural (skill training) techniques -as well as their different combinations- have emerged as critical components of such programmes. Nevertheless, despite this relative effectiveness, relapse rates in the long term (more than one year of follow-up) remain high in all types of addictive behaviours. Therefore, future research lines should aim to remedy some of the deficiencies with a view to improving the long-term results of these programmes.