CONTEMPORARY TRENDS IN SUBSTANCE-ABUSE

A clinical consensus has evolved as to the specific areas to be addres sed in a comprehensive clinical interview with substance abusers. Know ledge of specific psychopathology and associated comorbidities among a ddicts will refine this assessment. There are several reasonably relia ble and valid objective psychological tests that can be used to provid e supplementary information for diagnostic and treatment decisions. Et iological theories, including the disease concept, family systems theo ry, psychodynamic formulations, and behavioral approaches, have genera ted treatment interventions of clinical utility. Recent research sugge sts that psychotherapy, combined with traditional approaches, results in increased therapeutic benefits that were heretofore considered unli kely.