Feasibility of a simple and scalable cognitive-behavioral intervention to treat problem substance use

ABSTRACT

Our proof-of-concept study tested a simple cognitive-behavioral strategy to help people achieve substance use goals – using non-first person self-talk when facing substance use cues or cravings – based on experimental psychology research that draws on the concept of self-distancing and is consistent with mindfulness principles.  We evaluated participants’ understanding, use, and utility of the intervention at follow-up.

Method: We recruited 17 New York City residents who used drugs non-medically. At baseline, we collected demographic and substance use data and conducted the intervention. At one-week follow-up, participants were asked about their understanding, use, and perceived utility of the intervention, and asked to complete an anonymous five-item assessment of the intervention.

Results: Sixteen participants completed follow-up. Understanding was judged “acceptable” or better for 15; 11 used their scripts during follow-up; four described their scripts as very useful, one as moderately, five as a little, and one as not useful. Nine returned assessments; ratings were strongly favorable.

Conclusions: Results from our pilot are encouraging and point to further research on this intervention. The intervention is suitable for integration into longer-term therapy and we envision non-first person self-talk as one strategy alongside others individuals can employ to moderate their substance use.

KEYWORDS:

• Substance use
• cognitive behavioral treatment
• mindfulness

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Sherry Deren for providing helpful suggestions on the manuscript; Dr. Marya Gwadz for her generous assistance designing the study and intervention, and for granting access to her study participant registry and her staff to assist with participant recruitment; and Drs. Ozlem Ayduk and Ethan Kross for discussing conceptual issues during initial development of the study.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded in part by the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York, NY [CDUHR - P30 DA011041].