STAGE 4. Selecting the theoretical approach

What steps should be completed?

Step 1: Select the theoretical approach or approaches on which the intervention will be based

MATRIX MODEL

This is a structured outpatient programme, intended to engage people with drug addictions – originally to cocaine or amphetamines, but also extendable to other substances – in an abstinence-orientated treatment.

It considers addiction to be a chronic mental illness, increasing the need to encourage continuity in treatment, with very frequent therapeutic contacts in the first 3-4 months and a weekly follow-up in the long term. It is based on creating a good therapist-patient relationship (realistic and direct, but not confrontational or paternal), not necessarily to achieve remarkable changes in the patient's behaviour in the short term (although abstinence is the treatment goal) but to increase the likelihood that the patient will return to the next session (and subsequent sessions), as retention in the programme is key to increasing the likelihood of treatment success.¹

This treatment modality is based on cognitive behavioural and motivational theories, and in it patients learn critical issues of addiction and relapse, receive guidance and support from a therapist, become familiar with self-help programmes and are monitored with urine tests to control drug use.²

 

References:

1 Zarza-González MJ, Obert JL, Rawson RA et al. (2011). Tratamiento psicosocial Matrix para la adicción a cocaína: componentes de un tratamiento efectivo. [Psychosocial treatment matrix for cocaine addiction: components of an effective treatment]. Revista Española de Drogodependencias. 36(1): 27-48.

2 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2010). Principles of drug treatment: a research-based guide. Washington: National Institute on Drug Abuse.