A Breath of Fresh, Evidence-Based Air
We happily point our readers to a recent Jane Brody article in the NY Times concerning evidence-based treatments for substance use problems. Brody’s article, “Effective Addiction Treatment,” captured a number of essential points about what to look for when you are considering treatment for you or a loved one, always a bewildering maze when dealing […]
Cognitive-Bias Modification: Changing How We See the World
We are curious about “cognitive-bias modification”. Researchers have found that focusing (noticing, analyzing, ruminating) on threatening or negative events leads people to see the world in less positive ways. In particular they appear to be more pessimistic and have difficulty seeing potential positive outcomes. In other words, if you notice the frowning faces on the […]
Part II: “Train a Parent, Spare a Child” using CRAFT: Community Reinforcement and Family Training
This is part II of a response to the article “Train a Parent, Spare a Child” (NYTimes, 1/11/2013). Part I outlined four points in thinking about behavior change. In part II, we are applying those theories to helping make change regarding substance use. To read Part I, click here. And what if the problem isn’t […]
Training Parents to Help Children – Part I
The NY Times article “Train a Parent, Spare a Child” (1/11/2013) illustrates some excellent points we want to applaud and help apply these concepts to helping your family change their substance use. First, let’s detail the main points of the article and use that as a framework for how to think about behavior change. The […]
Response to: How People Change – David Brooks
The following is a letter we wrote to the NY Times in response to David Brooks’ November 26th column, “How People Change“: As psychologists at the Center for Motivation and Change we, too, happen to cover a field — substance use disorders — in which people are “perpetually bellowing at each other to be better”. […]
