Psychosocial Interventions for Substance Use Disorder: A Systematic Review of Therapeutic Approaches and Their Clinical Effectiveness.
| Journal | Clinical psychology & psychotherapy |
| Study Type | Randomized Trial |
| Population | Human participants |
This systematic review provides clinicians with evidence-based guidance on psychosocial interventions for substance use disorders, addressing a critical gap where treatment approaches have been fragmented across different substances and delivery methods. Understanding which interventions demonstrate consistent efficacy can inform more targeted, evidence-based treatment decisions.
This PRISMA-guided systematic review analyzed 64 randomized controlled trials from 2021-2025 examining psychosocial interventions for substance use disorder treatment across different substances and delivery formats. The review found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and multicomponent approaches showed the most consistent evidence for effectiveness, particularly for alcohol and tobacco use disorders. Contingency management emerged as especially promising for certain populations. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of recent evidence across face-to-face, digital, and hybrid delivery modalities.
“While this review reinforces CBT’s established role in addiction treatment, I’m encouraged by the validation of multicomponent approaches, which align with my clinical experience that complex substance use disorders often require integrated therapeutic strategies rather than single-modality interventions.”
💬 Join the Conversation
Have a question about how this applies to your situation? Ask Dr. Caplan →
Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? Join the forum discussion →
Have thoughts on this? Share it:
FAQ
The review found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and multicomponent approaches showed the most consistent evidence for effectiveness among the psychosocial interventions studied. This consistency was particularly evident for alcohol and tobacco use disorders.
How many studies did this review analyze, and how was it conducted?
It was a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 64 randomized controlled trials from 2021 to 2025. The trials examined psychosocial interventions for substance use disorder treatment across different substances and delivery formats. The review was published in the journal Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy.
Did the review include digital or online therapy formats?
Yes. The review assessed recent evidence across face-to-face, digital, and hybrid delivery modalities. The summary does not report how the digital or hybrid formats compared with face-to-face delivery in effectiveness, so it does not show whether one format works better than another.
Get the next evidence review in your inbox
Plain-language summaries of the newest cannabis research, written by a physician. Free to read, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Join the growing cannabis community. Free. One-click subscribe. Delivered by Substack.
