Behavioral dysregulations by chronic alcohol abuse. Motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy outcomes.

Abstract

Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) do not manifest homogeneous clinical symptoms. Various studies described both cognitive impairments and psychiatric disorders among people with AUD. This disorder is one of the most frequent mental disorders in developed countries, due to excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol is toxic as it increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and can cause dependence. This causes negative effects on brain development and cognitive functions that affect the individual's work, health, and social life. Current pharmacology treatment for alcohol addiction is based on direct action against the neurotransmitters involved in alcohol dependence. AUD patients without comorbid psychiatric disorders or severe cognitive deficits are defined as "pure alcoholics". To date, poor is known about effective treatments for this typology of AUD patients. Psychotherapy is largely used in resolving many psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are two psychotherapies used to achieve and maintain abstinence in patients affected by substance use disorders. This short review aims to describe two CBT and MET and to present the advantages and disadvantages of these two psychotherapies in the treatment of AUD.