Reducing Addiction: Interventions

A range of interventions exist for reducing addiction, spanning pharmacological (drug-based), behavioural, cognitive-behavioural, motivational, and peer-support approaches. The AQA specification requires knowledge of drug therapy, behavioural interventions, CBT, and public health approaches, with evaluation of each. Throughout this lesson, smoking, alcohol, and gambling are used as the primary examples.

Key Definition: Relapse prevention is a cognitive-behavioural approach that helps individuals anticipate and cope with high-risk situations for relapse, based on the work of Marlatt and Gordon (1985).

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Drug Therapy (Pharmacological Interventions)

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

NRT provides nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. Available forms include patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays. NRT works by:

• Reducing withdrawal symptoms (irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating)
• Reducing craving by maintaining a low level of nicotine in the bloodstream
• Allowing the smoker to gradually reduce the dose over time

Evidence — Stead et al. (2012)

Stead et al. (2012) conducted a Cochrane systematic review of 150 trials involving over 50,000 participants and found that NRT approximately doubles quit rates compared to placebo. The quit rate with NRT was approximately 17% at 6 months, compared to about 10% with placebo.