Abstract
Efficacious of psycholog ical treatments for drug-addiction: nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and heroin.Disorders resulting from drug abuse currently constitute one of the most important problems for public health, and the development of effective tr eatment programmes is a highly relevant issue. Traditional diagnostic classifications are of little clinical use from the applied point of view; however, a bio-behavioral explanation of the phenomenon contributes relevant information for the understanding of the problem and the planning of treatment. There is currently sufficient empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of behavioral therapies in the treatment of nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and heroin dependence. An essential characteristic is that these techniques are applied as part of treatment packag es, which often include pharmacological therapies. Nevertheless, despite this relative effectiveness, relapse rates continue to be high. In view of this, various lines of research are suggested, with the aim of finding ways to maintain positive results in the long term.
