Psychosocial treatment for alcohol use disorder*

CBT: cognitive-behavioral therapy; CBI: combined behavioral intervention.
* For individuals with mild, moderate, or severe alcohol use disorder who have undergone medically managed withdrawal or in whom medically managed withdrawal is not indicated. Refer to other UpToDate content for description of medically managed withdrawal.
¶ Severity is based on the number of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria the individual meets.
Δ Brief motivational counseling, addiction counseling, and mutual help groups are discussed in other UpToDate content.
◊ Abstinence remains the primary goal of treatment of alcohol use disorder. However, other goals such as reduced heavy drinking or lower risk use are appropriate goals for individuals who are not ready to stop drinking.
§ Structured psychosocial treatments include motivational interviewing, CBT, medical management (behavioral), CBI, and couples and family therapy.
¥ Motivational enhancement therapy is a 4-session variant of motivational interviewing. Continue motivational interviewing or motivational enhancement therapy until the individual shows a readiness to change. Refer to other UpToDate content.
‡ Medical management (behavioral), also called "medical management," is a manual-based psychotherapy that mimics management of medical conditions. Refer to other UpToDate content.
† CBI is an intervention combining elements of CBT, 12-step facilitation, motivational interviewing, and support system involvement. Refer to other UpToDate content.