401 - Treating the Heart of Addiction

Session Description: There has been a recent emphasis on the role of beliefs, motivation, and medication in the treatment of disorders including substance use disorder and gambling disorder. This session examines the role of emotion in the development and maintenance of these disorders, as well as the role of emotions in treatment. As we move toward medical models of treatment, the discussion considers the heart of emotions and therapeutic alliance as central parts of the change process to establish freedom from harmful behavioral processes and the attainment of long-term recovery. The session will build on applications of specific applications of tools and techniques, comparing and contrasting the implementation of standard approaches such as Behavioral, Cognitive, Experiential, and Rogerian techniques as implemented to deepen and change different emotional states. Together this can lead to more productive management of common emotional states such as anger, fear, and grief. Together, this integrative approach to change can build on existing theory, applying a sense of "what works for whom" to the choice of treatment planning.