SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TREATMENT FOR HAZARDOUS USERS - AN EARLY INTERVENTION

A six-session cognitive behavioral protocol has been developed for sub stance abusers who meet the description ''hazardous users.'' This cate gory includes individuals evidencing mild to moderate use of alcohol o r other drugs, whose lifestyles are minimally disrupted, or who are di splaying signs df problem use or abuse, but are unwilling to enter int ensive treatment The treatment model is nonconfrontational and is desi gned to motivate the individual to recognize the problems associated w ith his or her substance use and initiate treatment-seeking behavior. The intervention may be particularly useful in situations where employ ees have tested positive for substances but deny having a problem. whe re friends or family members report help is needed but the individual denies any problem, or where an alcohol or other drug problem is clear ly evidenced but the individual doesn't acknowledge a problem. A posit ive outcome is indicated by the client taking action which is consiste nt with ail increased awareness of the problem as conceptualized by Pr ochaska and DiClemente (1982). Tills model is an alternative to the tr aditional confrontational models of ''breaking through denial.'' The p hilosophies employed by William Miller and associates and by the Matri x treatment models form the basis of the intervention.