A Study of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Practices for Addiction

PSYCHOLOGY

The prevalence of unhealthy drinking at all levels in Indian society poses serious issues in terms of the consequence to individuals concerned, as well as to society as a whole. The workplace offers a useful setting for early identification and intervention with rural and urban people who may have pre-existing alcohol use disorder issues. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness within the workplace of a brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) intervention in reducing participants binge and risky drinking behaviors. One hundred volunteered to participate in this randomized controlled trial. The intervention was conducted over four consecutive one and a half hour weekly sessions. Participants completed four principle outcome measures at intake, termination of the intervention and at the two-month follow-up assessment. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (SMAST & AUDIT) was used to measures participants’ consumption levels and frequency of binge or risky drinking. A Readiness Ruler (Miller, Zweben, Diclemente, & Rychtarik, 1992) was used to measure participants’ readiness to change drinking, while the Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire (Young & Oei, 1996) was used to measure participants’ beliefs pertaining to alcohol, and their ability to refuse alcohol in high-risk social surroundings. There were preliminary data in support of the intervention. There were interaction effects that approached statistical significance for both a reduction in participants’ binge drinking (p =. 064) and an increase in participants’ ability to refuse alcohol in high-risk social settings (p = .059). There was also a significant interaction effect (p < .05) between time and group where participants lowered their alcohol expectancies on the Increased Confidence Factor of the Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire. This thesis suggests that a large number of recruits currently enlisting in India (Rajasthan) have existing drinking patterns, which are a cause for concern. This study also indicates that within the workplace early intervention using CBT has the potential to assist new patient in reducing their risky drinking behavior.

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