Behavior Analysis and Substance Dependence: Theory, Research and Intervention

This book presents the main theoretical and practical tools provided by behavior analysis to diagnose and treat substance use disorders. Based on the theoretical framework of radical behaviorism, first developed by B.F. Skinner, behavior analysis offers a distinctive biopsychosocial approach to substance use disorders by considering both the biogenetic and environmental influences on behaviors associated with substance use, enabling the development of more integrative and effective diagnostic, prevention, and treatment strategies at the individual and collective level.

The volume is divided in three parts. Part one presents an introduction to core concepts in behavior analysis and related disciplines, such as behavioral pharmacology, and their specific applications in substance use disorders diagnostics and treatment. Part two shows how different types of behavioral-analytical clinical and social interventions can be applied in practice to treat substance use disorders, such as:

• Contingency Management
• Exposure Therapy
• Functional Analytical Psychotherapy (FAP)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Therapy by Contingencies of Reinforcement (TCR)
• Motivational Interviewing

Finally, part three covers special topics, such as the interfaces between neurosciences and behavior analysis on drug use and dependence, effects of substance use in romantic relationships and their relationship with violence against women.

Behavior Analysis and Substance Dependence will be a valuable tool for clinical and health psychologists, as well as other health professionals and social workers dealing with substance use disorders, by presenting, in one single volume, an overview of the tools offered by behavior analysis to deal with this serious health issue.  

Simone Martin Oliani holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Centro de Estudos Superiores de Londrina (CESULON), Brazil. She is a specialist in behavioral-analytical psychotherapy and holds a master’s degree in behavior analysis from the Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Brazil. She is affiliated to ABPMC (Brazilian Association of Medicine and Behavioral Psychology) and regional coordinator of the ABPMC Community project. She is also affiliated to ABEAD (Brazilian Association for the Study of Alcohol and Other Drugs) and ACBS (Association for Contextual Behavioral Science). She has experience in psychology, with an emphasis on clinical psychology, acting mainly on the following themes: behavior analysis, substance dependence, prevention / intervention and health psychology.

Richard Alecsander Reichert is PhD student in Psychobiology at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil; researcher in the area of medicine and sociology ofdrug abuse; holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Brazil; is a member of the Interdisciplinary Center for Studies in Neuroscience and Behavior in Childhood and Adolescence at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (CIENCIA-UNIFESP); collaborator of the Laboratory of Basic and Applied Cognitive Psychology (LPCOG) at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil; and associate member of the Brazilian Multidisciplinary Association of Studies on Drugs (Associação Brasileira Multidisciplinar de Estudos sobre Drogas – ABRAMD), International Society of Substance Use Professionals and International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol & Other Drugs (INEBRIA).

Roberto Alves Banaco holds a master’s and PhD degrees in experimental psychology from Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Brazil; and graduated in psychology at Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP), Brazil. He is academic director and professor of Paradigma – Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia do Comportamento (Center for Behavior Sciences and Technology); member of the Brazilian Society of Psychology (Sociedade Brasileira de Psicologia – SBP); member of the board of the Brazilian Association of Psychology and Behavior Medicine (Associação Brasileira de Psicologia e Medicina Comportamental – ABPMC); and behavior analyst accredited by ABPMC. He has experience in psychology, with emphasis on psychological treatment and prevention, acting mainly in the following themes: behavior analysis, experimental behavior analysis, behavior analytic therapy, radical behaviorism and applied behavior analysis.