Combining Medication and Psychosocial Treatments for Addictions: The BRENDA Approach

"This is a groundbreaking book--the first in the field to provide a clear, clinically useful, and practical explication of how to enhance patient compliance with medication and addictions treatment. While there have been other publications that have addressed this important issue in the age of increasing attention to neurobiological treatments for addiction, none has been as comprehensive or as solidly grounded in research findings. It is a 'must read' for all clinicians working with addicted patients in settings where medications are a part of treatment, or where other treatment compliance issues are important to address. It will also be useful in professional training for physicians, psychologists, social workers, and addiction counselors." --Frederick Rotgers, PsyD, Assistant Chief Psychologist, Smithers Addiction Treatment and Research Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY

"This book describes treatment principles that are helpful to 80% of drug and alcohol patients! Within the BRENDA approach, psychosocial and pharmacological treatment choices are individualized, with emphasis on naltrexone for alcohol addiction. These talented researcher-practitioners have produced a much-needed guide that will be readily understood and used in practice and teaching by psychologists, counselors, social workers, nurse practitioners, and others." --Lester Luborsky, PhD, Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

"Medications for treating addiction are usually not successful unless combined with appropriate psychosocial methods. Unfortunately, many programs lack the necessary sophistication in one or the other of these to carry out the combination. BRENDA offers an easily taught and understood way of integrating the two components. It has been tested and improved for over 5 years by one of the most outstanding teams of addiction clinical researchers in the United States and could significantly improve treatment outcome." --Herbert D. Kleber, MD., Professor of Psychiatry, Director, Division on Substance Abuse, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeon

Joseph R. Volpicelli, MD, PhD, Associate Professor and Senior Scientist, University of Pennsylvania

Helen M. Pettinati, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Treatment Research Center, University of Pennsylvania

A. Thomas McLellan, PhD, Senior Scientist, Treatment Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA

Charles P. O'Brien, MD, PhD, Treatment Research Center, University of Pennsylvania