The chapter outlines for the clinical psychologist how longer treatments can be adapted in the form of brief interventions. As an example with a strong evidence base, we focus on brief interventions for alcohol use. The aim of these interventions is to raise awareness of alcohol-related risk and reduce hazardous and harmful drinking behaviour. The chapter outlines a detailed, practical example of a brief intervention for problem drinking.

Several pathways can lead out of destructive drug use, including natural recovery with no treatment. Mental-health professionals in treatment programs or working independently offer treatment, and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and secular groups enable mutual support for recovery from SUD. The Minnesota Model, based on the principles of AA, heavily influences many treatment programs. Counseling and psychotherapy are primary treatments for SUD, often conducted in groups. Sharing of common SUD experiences relieves shame and isolation that impede recovery. Office-based treatment may provide individual psychotherapy. Therapists and counselors try to establish an alliance with clients to promote intrinsic motivation for secure abstinence. Therapies include cognitive-behavioral, 12-step facilitation, mindfulness, dialectical behavior change, and couples or family therapy. Brief Interventions are short counseling sessions most appropriate for early-stage substance abuse. Alcohol or other drug use often recurs after treatment, and prevention of relapse is a primary goal of SUD treatment. Participation in mutual assistance groups is associated with lower rates of relapse.