Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine the effect of behavioral and medication treatments on patients with alcoholism. The types of behavioral treatment used were cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and muscle relaxation therapy (PMR). Alcoholism is becoming a more prominent problem in the United States, where alcohol consumption, in general has skyrocketed. The alcoholic participants were divided into four groups:
- Participants who received antidepressant Venlafaxine and CBT
- Participants who received antidepressant Venlafaxine and muscle relaxation therapy PMR
- Participants who received placebo and CBT
- Participants who received placebo and PMR
The results of the study showed that CBT was more effective than PMR at reducing heavy drinking in alcoholics. Additionally, it was discovered that the addition of the antidepressant Venlafaxine to the behavioral treatment did not contribute to curing alcoholism. According to Domenic Ciraulo, head researcher of this study, “while antidepressant medications may help to control anxious feelings, the ability to acknowledge and respond to such intense feelings may be one reason that CBT is effective.”
Societal Implications
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 88,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. That number, unfortunately, is only growing at an unprecedented rate (Carrao). To counteract the growing problem of alcoholism in the United States and across the globe, it is imperative to find treatments that work more efficiently. Antidepressants work for some people, but not for everybody. CBT and other behavioral treatments are more effective in the long run because they teach broad skills to cope with the emotional problems of anxiety and mood swings that are associated with alcoholism (Ciraulo).
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 88,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. That number, unfortunately, is only growing at an unprecedented rate (Carrao). To counteract the growing problem of alcoholism in the United States and across the globe, it is imperative to find treatments that work more efficiently. Antidepressants work for some people, but not for everybody. CBT and other behavioral treatments are more effective in the long run because they teach broad skills to cope with the emotional problems of anxiety and mood swings that are associated with alcoholism (Ciraulo).
