Some effective therapeutic factors in group cognitive-behavioral therapy with problem drinkers.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The mechanisms of cognitive-behavioral treatment with 18 problem drinkers (14 men) during twelve 2-h sessions with 2 therapists were investigated. The patients were studied pretreatment, 3-7 days, 3 mo. and 6 mo. after treatment. The sample was divided into 2 groups of 9 patients. For group A, the therapists cued and reinforced all positive self-statements, statements of attitudes or feelings and future-oriented verb statements; challenged negative self-statements; used self-disclosure; and helped the patients achieve a compromise between their real and ideal selves through role playing, modeling and rehearsal. For group B, treatment was the same except that therapists used only anonymous case histories, not self-disclosure; kept personal opinions to a minimum; and did not reinforce positive self-statements or challenge negative ones. According to videotape ratings, group A improved across the sessions significantly more than group B in positive and negative self-statements, future-oriented verb statements and statements of attitudes or feelings. There were nonsignificant differences in reinforcements by therapists and alcohol-related sentences. Across the 6 mo. of follow-up, group A improved significantly more than group B in a behavioral rating made by a psychologist after a structured interview; alcohol consumption (according to self-reports and corroboration); and measures of social avoidance and distress, fear of negative evaluation, neuroticism and extroversion. There was a nonsignificant difference in a measure of psychoticism. Manipulation of cognitive factors apparently improved the maintenance of behavioral gains. Selective reinforcement and relevant self-disclosures and opinions by therapists increased treatment success.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: