This integrated literature review introduces a substance abuse treatment protocol for the treatment of individuals experiencing difficulties related to alcohol and drug abuse. The treatment manual is based on the empirical literature on substance abuse treatment and integrates principles from both harm reduction therapy (Denning, 2000; Tatarsky, 2003) and mindfulness techniques (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). The protocol is developed to be used in a treatment group setting. The protocol draws on a number of empirically supported elements that often comprise harm reduction approaches to treat addiction problems. These include motivational interviewing (Miller & Rollnick, 1991), based on the transtheoretical model of stages of change (Prochaska, DiClemente & Norcross, 1992), and relapse prevention models (Marlatt & Donovan, 2005). The purpose of the protocol is to provide a non judgmental, safe place for individuals to begin to examine their substance use patterns without pressuring them to change their behaviors before they are ready. The use of mindfulness techniques enables clients to begin to connect affective, cognitive and environmental triggers to incidences of high-risk alcohol and drug use, and to develop coping skills other than continued use.;The treatment protocol is based on the assumption that treatments for alcohol and drug abuse focused on abstinence as the only treatment goal alienate individuals who could benefit from reduced use, and result in recidivism from treatment (Sobell, Ellingstad, & Sobell, 2000). The number of individuals in need of treatment for alcohol and drug abuse disorders indicates an urgent need for brief, low cost and easily accessible interventions to meet this need (Denning, 2000; Tatarsky, 2002). From the perspective of consumers of substance abuse treatment, the development of more tolerant, non-stigmatizing, widely available and affordable alternatives to current treatment systems are needed (Marlatt et al., 2004). The proposed treatment protocol seeks to address this gap in treatment options and meet the needs of individuals who would benefit from reduced alcohol and drug consumption, but who would normally not access treatment services.
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