Behavior Therapy: A Promising Drug Abuse Treatment and Research Approach of Choice

Abstract

Behavior therapy appears a promising drug abuse treatment and research approach of choice, reporting effective pilot studies utilizing such techniques as token economy, aversive conditioning, relaxation training, contract writing, covert conditioning, and combinative approaches. Behavior therapy appears to merit considerable investment of funds, time, and facilities to design and to execute carefully controlled research studies with systematic follow-up. Behavioral research and treatment is also consistent with presently available diagnostic techniques—the highly structured interview and the Synanon Game—and seems eminently applicable in specific work sites, to problems of staff selection and training, and to patient screening problems.