Addictive Behaviour: Cue Exposure Theory and Practice

Addictions are responsible for vast and growing morbidity, mortality, and misery in society. Until now, not only has the theoretical underpinning of the most commonly practised treatment approaches in the addictions field been scant, but the evidence for the effectiveness of these methods has also been generally lacking. In the cue exposure paradigm there is a rare opportunity to make a vital connection between theory and practice in the rational development of new treatment approaches. Cue exposure has become a routine clinical procedure in the treatment of phobic and obsessive-compulsive disorders and shows promise in the additions field. There is always a danger, however, that new approaches will become adopted into routine practice in an uncritical fashion. This book, therefore, brings together a series of invited reviews specially prepared by addictions experts from around the world. Together these reviews provide a much needed critical analysis of the evidence. The primary audience for the book is clinical psychologists and psychiatrists interested in addictions. However, it will also appeal to all graduates in these fields as a teaching and reference work.