A randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for substance‐dependent domestic violence offenders: an integrated substance abuse‐domestic violence treatment approach (SADV)

Psychotherapy

May 2021

Full Citation

Easton, C. J., Crane, C. A., & Mandel, D. (2018). A randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for substance‐dependent domestic violence offenders: an integrated substance abuse‐domestic violence treatment approach (SADV). Journal of marital and family therapy, 44(3), 483-498.

Abstract

The current study evaluates a therapy for substance‐dependent perpetrators of partner violence. Sixty‐three males arrested for partner violence within the past year were randomized to a cognitive behavioral substance abuse‐domestic violence (SADV; n = 29) or a drug counseling (DC; n = 34) condition. Seventy percent of offenders completed eight core sessions with no differences between SADV and DC conditions in the amount of substance or aggression at pretreatment. SADV participants had fewer cocaine‐positive toxicology screens and breathalyzer results during treatment, were less likely to engage in aggressive behavior proximal to a drinking episode, and reported fewer episodes of violence than DC participants at posttreatment follow‐up. SADV shows promise in decreasing addiction and partner violence among substance‐dependent male offenders.