Cited by 694Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment With Adult Alcohol and Illicit Drug Users: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Magill, Molly, Ray, Lara A.·2009·Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis examined 53 controlled trials of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for adults diagnosed with alcohol- or illicit-drug-use disorders. The aims were to provide an overall picture of CBT treatment efficacy and to identify client or treatment factors predictive of CBT effect magnitude. METHOD: The inverse variance weighted effect size (Hedges' g) was calculated for each study and pooled using fixed and random effects methods. Potential study-level moderators were assessed in subgroup analyses by primary drug, type of CBT, and type of comparison condition. In addition, seven client and treatment variables were examined in meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: Across studies, CBT produced a small but statistically significant treatment effect (g = 0.154, p < .005). The pooled effect was somewhat lower at 6-9 months (g = 0.1 15, p < .005) and continued to diminish at 12-month follow-up (g = 0.096, p < .05). The effect of CBT was largest in marijuana studies (g = 0.513, p < .005) and in studies with a no-treatment control as the comparison condition (g = 0.796, p < .005). Meta-regression analyses indicated that the percentage of female participants was positively associated and the number of treatment sessions was negatively associated with effect size. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate the utility of CBT across a large and diverse sample of studies and under rigorous conditions for establishing efficacy. CBT effects were strongest with marijuana users, when CBT was compared with no treatment, and may be larger with women than with men and when delivered in a brief format.

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  1. [17]17. CARROLL, K.M. Behavioral and cognitive behavioral treatments. In: MC- CRADY, B.S. AND EPSTEIN, E.E. (Eds.) Addictions: A Comprehensive Guidebook, New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1999, pp. 250-267.
  2. [45]45. HEDGES, L.V. AND OLKIN, I. Statistical Methods for Meta-Analysis, San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1985.
  3. [73]73. MILLER, W.R., WILBOURNE, P.L., AND HETTEMA, J.E. What works? A summary of alcohol treatment outcome research. In: HESTER, R.K. AND MILLER, W.R. Handbook of Alcoholism Treatment Approaches: Effective Alter- natives, 3rd Edition, Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 2003, pp. 13-63.
  4. [77]77. MONTI, P.M. AND ROHSENOW, D.J. Coping skills training and cue exposure treatment. In: HESTER, R.K. AND MILLER, W.R. (Eds.) Handbook of Alcoholism Treatment Approaches: Effective Alternatives, 3rd Edition, Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 2003, pp. 213-236.

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Authors
Magill, M., & Ray, L. A.
Affiliations
Brown University (US)
Venue
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
Published
2009-07
Volume
70
Issue
4
Pages
516-527
ISSN
  • 1937-1888 (ISSN-L)
  • 1938-4114
OpenAlex
W2035068440
Cited by
694
References
111
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 55 · 2020: 128 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 55 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 45 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 22
FWCI
1.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Boston College
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (T32 AA07459-22, AA07459, T32AA007459)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
cognitive behavioral therapy, alcoholism, treatment efficacy, cannabis use, short-term treatment, gender differences
MeSH terms
Adult, Alcoholism, Female, Humans, Male, Sex Characteristics, Time Factors, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome, Substance-Related Disorders

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