Addiction Medicine Behavioral Therapies & Counseling Flashcards

In Motivational Interviewing, what does the acronym OARS stand for?

Answer: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries

OARS stands for Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries — the four foundational communication skills used in Motivational Interviewing.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adapted for substance use disorder adds which module to its standard skills training?

Answer: Dialectical abstinence and attachment strategies

DBT adapted for substance use disorder adds dialectical abstinence — combining absolute commitment to abstinence with compassionate relapse management — as a key module.

Which therapy is specifically designed to reduce shame and self-stigma in patients with addiction by applying compassion-focused principles?

Answer: Compassion-focused therapy (CFT)

Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) directly targets shame and self-criticism by training patients to cultivate self-compassion, which is particularly relevant given high stigma in addiction.

Which behavior therapy model uses functional analysis to identify antecedents, behaviors, and consequences of substance use?

Answer: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT uses functional analysis (ABC model: antecedents, behavior, consequences) to help patients identify triggers and consequences that maintain their substance use.

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) teaches patients to respond to cravings using which core strategy?

Answer: Urge surfing — observing cravings without acting on them

MBRP uses 'urge surfing,' a mindfulness technique where patients observe craving sensations like waves that rise and fall without reacting to or acting on them.

Which family-based therapy is specifically designed for adolescents with substance use disorders and focuses on family interactions?

Answer: Brief strategic family therapy (BSFT)

Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) is an evidence-based model developed specifically for adolescent substance use that addresses maladaptive family interaction patterns.