Table Of Contenti
“Although there are many textbooks designed to teach counseling theories
and techniques, most fail to apply these theories and techniques specifically to
addiction treatment and recovery. When counselors understand how to correctly
apply counseling theories and techniques to addiction treatment and recovery,
they become extremely valuable tools in assisting individuals to develop and
maintain effective recovery solutions. A Comprehensive Guide to Addiction Theory
and Counseling Techniques was specifically designed and written by two of our
nation’s most outstanding addiction counselor educators. They understand how
to teach future addiction professionals and how to apply counseling theories and
techniques to addiction treatment and recovery. A Comprehensive Guide to Addiction
Theory and Counseling Techniques is an extremely valuable tool for both addiction
counseling students and professionals. I highly recommend it.”
Kirk Bowden, PhD, Chair of the Rio Salado College Addiction
and Substance Use Disorder Program; Professor-i n- Charge of the
Ottawa University Addiction Counseling Program; Past president of
NAADAC, The Association of Addiction Professionals; Past president
of the International Coalition for Addiction Studies Education
“A Comprehensive Guide to Addiction Theory and Counseling Techniques provides a
much- needed overview of major theoretical approaches in the counseling field
and, specifically, how these theories may be applied practically to the field of
addiction studies. Written in an engaging and accessible way, the book offers both
Bachelor’s and Master’s level students a foundation from which to develop skills
and critical thinking as they work through various examples and case studies.
I would also consider this book for the Associate’s level educator as an appropriate
additional resource for students.”
Joan E. Standora, PhD, Lic. Clinical & Drug Cnslr. (NJ);
Lic.Alcohol & Drug Cnslr. (CT);
CASAC- Adv. (NY); CADC (PA); MAC
“The authors have written a comprehensive review of addiction theories and
provided case conceptualization examples and student activity suggestions to
facilitate better earning and understanding of the application of the theories. The
case conceptualizations and activities are valuable in assisting students in gaining
an understanding of the different theoretical perspectives and their impact on
practitioners’ approaches to assessment and treatment of clients.”
Vicki Michels, PhD, Minot State University
ii
iii
A Comprehensive Guide to Addiction
Theory and Counseling Techniques
A blend of theory and counseling techniques, this comprehensive text provides
readers with an overview of several major counseling theories and their appli-
cation to substance use disorders and addiction counseling, along with related
techniques and interventions.
Chapters incorporate cutting- edge evidenced- based research on neurosci-
ence, psychological and sociocultural theories explaining the biopsychosocial
influences of substance use disorders, and examine how substance use disorder
risk factors can be utilized when assessing someone who may have a substance use
disorder. The text additionally helps apply theory to practice, offering interven-
tion techniques and using accessible case studies. Throughout the text, highlighted
learning opportunities and key terms further help students to practice and apply
the theories, interventions and techniques that the book discusses.
Mental health professionals, undergraduate and graduate students alike will
benefit from this deft mix of prominent theory, innovative research and accessible
case studies.
Alan A. Cavaiola, PhD, LPC, LCADC, is a full professor in the department
of professional counseling at Monmouth University and currently serves as the
director of the addiction studies program. He is the former clinical director of
addiction treatment programs at Monmouth Medical Center.
Margaret Smith, EdD, MLADC, is a full professor in public health/a ddiction
and pre- professional mental health at Keene State College. Her clinical experience
includes alcohol and other drug counseling specializing in co-o ccurring disorders,
elderly, women and LGBT populations. She also worked as the coordinator of
alcohol and other drug education at Dartmouth College.
iv
v
A Comprehensive Guide
to Addiction Theory and
Counseling Techniques
Alan A. Cavaiola
Margaret Smith
vi
First published 2020
by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2020 Taylor & Francis
The right of Alan A. Cavaiola and Margaret Smith to be identified as authors of this work
has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised
in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or
hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks,
and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data
Names: Cavaiola, Alan A., author. | Smith, Margaret
(Professor in public health/addiction), author.
Title: A comprehensive guide to addiction theory and counseling
techniques / Alan A. Cavaiola, Margaret Smith.
Description: New York, NY : Routledge, 2020. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020000903 (print) | LCCN 2020000904 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780367245665 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367252724 (paperback) |
ISBN 9780429286933 (ebook)
Subjects: MESH: Substance-Related Disorders–therapy |
Behavior, Addictive–therapy | Psychotherapy–methods |
Psychological Theory Classification: LCC RC564 (print) |
LCC RC564 (ebook) | NLM WM 270 | DDC 362.29–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020000903
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020000904
ISBN: 978- 0- 367- 24566- 5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978- 0- 367- 25272- 4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978- 0- 429- 28693- 3 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo
by Newgen Publishing UK
vii
We dedicate this book to all of our clients and students for sharing
their strength, hopes and experiences with us over the many years
of our teaching and counseling practice. We also dedicate this
book to those who have died as a result of America’s opioid epi-
demic and as a result of other substance use disorders, as well as
those who are still suffering, including their families, loved ones
and significant others. Also to those who fight on the front lines
of our nation’s addiction epidemic, to all the addiction treatment
professionals and members of the recovering community.
viii
ix
Contents
Acknowledgements xiii
1 Introduction to Addiction Theory 1
Disease Model vs Moral Model of Addiction 7
Brief Remarks Regarding the Use of Pejorative Language Pertaining to
Substance Use Disorders 11
Summary: The Three Blind Men and the Elephant 12
References 13
2 Psychoanalytic Theory 15
Introduction 15
Key Terms 17
Classical Psychoanalytic Approach to Substance Use Disorders 18
Contemporary Psychoanalytic Models of Addiction 19
Addiction as an Attachment Disorder 21
Kohut’s Self- Psychology Approach to Addictions 22
Trauma Theory 23
Defense Mechanisms and Addiction Theory 24
Advantages and Limitations of Psychoanalytic Theory and Contemporary
Analytic Theories 26
Case Example: Psychoanalytic Theory – Katie 28
Case Example: Attachment Theory – David 29
Case Example: Addiction and Trauma Theory – Kim 30
Psychoanalytic Applications to Addiction Counseling: Assessment, Techniques
and Interventions – Clinical Implications for Counselors 31
Summary 35
Appendix 2.1 36
Recommended Reading and Resources 38
References 38
3 Behavioral and Learning Theory Model 42
Introduction 42
Overview of Behavioral Theory 42
