Behavioral Assessment of Drug Addiction: Strategies and Issues in Research and Treatment

Abstract

Techniques employed in the behavioral assessment of drug addiction are critically reviewed. While preliminary investigations suggest the utility of behavior therapy with this problem, results should be interpreted with caution due to methodological shortcomings in assessment procedures. Although strategies have been developed to measure responses in cognitive, motoric, and physiological systems, relatively few investigations in the behavioral literature report use of multichannel assessment. Given the nature and complexity of drug addiction, usefulness of tripartite assessment is discussed. Suggestions for directions that future research might take are offered.