Psychosocial approaches to psychostimulant dependence: A systematic review

This review examines the nature and evidence for the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for psychostimulant dependence. Psychostimulant dependence and related harms continue to increase in many parts of the world, while treatment responses are predominantly limited to psychosocial interventions. The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions is compromised by poor rates of treatment induction and retention. As with other substance use disorders, increasing the diversity of treatment options is likely to improve treatment coverage and outcomes across a broader range of users. Identifying medications that might enhance treatment induction and retention would also enhance the effectiveness of psychosocial programs. It is concluded that psychosocial interventions are moderately effective in reducing psychostimulant use and related harms among psychostimulant-dependent persons.