Substance Misuse

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Abstract
Social learning theory has provided the field of substance misuse with a solid base from which to generate hyotheses and develop treatments. The emphasis during the last decade has been upon outcome and efficacy expectancies, relapse prevention and stages of change. Helping people to move through these stages of change (motivational interviewing) has been a particularly strong focus. The literature on alcohol dependence provides reasonable evidence to support the effectiveness of the following treatment approaches: antidepressant medication, behavioural contracting, brief interventions, behavioural marital therapy, behavioural self-control training, community reinforcement approach, covert sensitization, Disulfiram (Antabuse), social skills training and stress management training. It is also suggested that interest in cue exposure will develop in the future. During the next decade self-regulation theory will turn out to be a rich source of ideas as well as a useful conceptual framework that integrates a range of treatment approaches.