Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Flashcards
Strength: RTS PERTY ET AL
Allocated gamblers to control group who received gamblers anonymous meetings, or a treatment condition who received GA meetings and 8 session CBT programme , found that patients in treatment condition were gambling significantly less than the control group, shows that identifying and challenging cognitive biases can reduce addictive behaviour, inc validity of CBT
Weakness: requires motivation and commitment
Patient must commit to number of CBT sessions over months, would have to challenge irrational thoughts that are causing addiction and also complete homework outside of sessions (avoidance strategies), unlike drug therapy which patient takes a tablet or wears a patch to reduce addiction, CBT less appropriate than others as patients may drop out of treatment and relapse
Strength: avoids chemical dependence
Patients are taught skills to identify and challenge their own cognitive distortions which cause addiction such as feeling they cannot cope without substance or behaviour so take control of their own addiction, unlike drug therapy where patient is dependant upon drugs to control their addiction by regulating their levels of nicotine or dopamine, CBT more appropriate way to reduce addiction, patients aren’t dependant upon a drug
Strength: non invasive so suitable for all individuals
If an individual is pregnant, CBT is unlikely to harm the foetus, unlike drug therapy as chemicals within the drug such as nicotine in NRT may cause physical damage to baby, CBT more appropriate treatment as doesn’t limit who can take part
