NETWORK THERAPY FOR SUBSTANCE-ABUSE - A CLINICAL-TRIAL

There is considerable need for effective treatment for addicted patients in office practice. In Network Therapy, described in this article, the therapist draws on family and peer support in the office setting to secure abstinence and aid in relapse prevention. This approach complements individual therapy, and can draw on self-help groups and other modalities as well. Assessment of a series of 60 patients treated for alcohol and drug dependence demonstrates the mode of operation and the outcome of this approach. Of them, 46 experienced major or full improvement, and those using disulfiram under observation of a network member showed the best outcome.