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At-Home, Computerized CBT Reduces Drug Use as Much as CBT Delivered in a Clinical Setting, Study FindsĀ 

Self-administering CBT via a computer training program helps as many people reduce their drug use as CBT delivered in person by a clinician, according to a clinical trial. In some cases, the results may even be better.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a relatively new tool in the toolbox of recovery options for substance use disorder. But as weā€™ve noted in previous posts, it already has a promising track record.

Most people who use CBT access this form of care with the help of a clinician, but that is not the only option. Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT4CBT (sorry, but the acronyms multiply quickly in this discussion), uses video and interactive, self-guided exercises to teach the skills associated with CBT.

Now we have data indicating that such an approach offers the sameā€”and in some circumstances, even betterā€”reductions in drug use as CBT delivered in a clinicianā€™s office. The study looked at 137 people with uncontrolled use of opioids, alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine. Participants were not entirely on their ownā€”they stopped in for 10-minute check-ins with a clinician once a weekā€”but the actual CBT training was self-directed.

In a time when access to sustained clinical care is difficult for many, these findings suggest a way to ease the burden on caregivers. This in turn could open the doors to CBT for a much larger number of those struggling with substance use.

You can read all the details of this promising study here:

https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2018/06/outcomes-computerized-cbt-rival-those-clinician-delivered-cbt

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