Treating Alcohol and Drug Problems in Psychotherapy Practice ─ Doing What Works

Written specifically for the office-based psychotherapist, this practical guide describes how to detect, assess, diagnose, and treat clients presenting with a range of alcohol and drug problems. Detailed is an integrated, flexible psychotherapeutic approach that emphasizes building a strong therapeutic relationship, engaging clients "where they are," and addressing substance use within the larger context of their lives. The authors describe in very pragmatic terms how to use a combination of motivational, cognitive-behavioral, 12-step, and psychodynamic techniques with clients in different stages of change. Techniques are brought to life with numerous case vignettes, and appendices include reproducible client forms and handouts.

Arnold M. Washton, PhD, is Executive Director of Recovery Options, a private practice in New York City and Princeton, New Jersey, dedicated to treating alcohol and drug problems in executives and professionals. He also serves as Clinical Director of The Retreat at Princeton, an inpatient substance abuse treatment program at Princeton House Behavioral Health and the University Medical Center at Princeton. An internationally known addiction psychologist and widely published author, Dr. Washton has specialized in treating substance abuse and related mental health problems since 1975.

Joan E. Zweben, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with over 35 years of experience in treating addiction and in training treatment practitioners. These practitioners include peer counselors, social workers, marriage and family counselors, psychologists, criminal justice personnel, nurses, and physicians. She has a broad-based background in treatment of both alcoholism and drug dependence and has experience with both residential and outpatient modalities. She has served on numerous work groups focused on policy issues. Dr. Zweben is the founder and Executive Director of the 14th Street Clinic (1979-2007) and the East Bay Community Recovery Project (1989-present). Through these organizations, she has collaborated with researchers locally and nationally since 1981. She is the author of 4 books and over 55 articles or book chapters and editor of 15 monographs on treating addiction.