Working with the Suicidal Client Who Also Abuses Substances

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Working with the Suicidal Client Who Also Abuses Substances
Language: English
Authors: Esposito-Smythers, Christianne, Walsh, Adam, Spirito, Anthony
Source: Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. May 2012 19(2):245-255.
Availability: Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2012
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Substance Abuse, Counseling Techniques, Suicide, Alcohol Abuse, Adolescents, Adults, Mental Disorders, Correlation, Cognitive Restructuring, Behavior Modification, Therapy, Intervention, Case Studies, Guidelines
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2010.11.004
ISSN: 1077-7229
Abstract: Substance use disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors commonly co-occur in adolescent and adult psychiatric populations and are often functionally interrelated. Although the evidence base for treatment of this population is sparse, integrated cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) protocols, or those that rely heavily on CBT techniques, hold promise. In this paper, we provide an overview of the evidence-based literature for interventions that target suicidal behavior and substance use disorders with adults and adolescents. We then discuss the manner in which these behaviors may be functionally interrelated and offer a conceptual framework (S-O-R-C) to guide case conceptualization and treatment planning for clients with co-occurring suicidality and substance use disorders. Next, we provide a case example of a client with suicidal behavior and an alcohol use disorder and demonstrate how to apply an integrated CBT treatment protocol to this case. This case example is followed by a more general discussion about the potential advantages of integrated CBT protocols for suicidality and substance use disorders, guidelines for prioritizing treatment targets and skill selection for each individual client, and other important treatment considerations. We conclude with recommendations for future research in this area. (Contains 1 table.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2012
Accession Number: EJ961075
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Substance use disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors commonly co-occur in adolescent and adult psychiatric populations and are often functionally interrelated. Although the evidence base for treatment of this population is sparse, integrated cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) protocols, or those that rely heavily on CBT techniques, hold promise. In this paper, we provide an overview of the evidence-based literature for interventions that target suicidal behavior and substance use disorders with adults and adolescents. We then discuss the manner in which these behaviors may be functionally interrelated and offer a conceptual framework (S-O-R-C) to guide case conceptualization and treatment planning for clients with co-occurring suicidality and substance use disorders. Next, we provide a case example of a client with suicidal behavior and an alcohol use disorder and demonstrate how to apply an integrated CBT treatment protocol to this case. This case example is followed by a more general discussion about the potential advantages of integrated CBT protocols for suicidality and substance use disorders, guidelines for prioritizing treatment targets and skill selection for each individual client, and other important treatment considerations. We conclude with recommendations for future research in this area. (Contains 1 table.)
ISSN:1077-7229
DOI:10.1016/j.cbpra.2010.11.004