Abstract

MACIEL, Luisa Zamagna; TRACTENBERG, Saulo Gantes; HABIGZANG, Luisa Fernanda  and  WAINER, Ricardo. Early maladaptive schemas in alcohol use disorder. Rev. bras.ter. cogn. [online]. 2013, vol.9, n.2, pp. 101-107. ISSN 1808-5687.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1808-5687.20130014.

Alcohol-Related Disorder has been considered difficult to treat since the majority of the individuals have to face several withdrawal symptoms during the detoxification process. The capacity to manage such symptoms is essential to avoid relapses and to sustain longer periods of abstinence. Although different approaches in Cognitive Behavior Therapy have been supporting the treatment of alcoholism, revealing positive outcomes, there are still challenges in this field, mainly regarding emotional regulation and craving management among alcohol users. The Schema Therapy suggests a new approach focused on emotional regulation and on early maladaptive schemas that might be involved on some dysfunctional behaviors underlying mental disorders. This narrative review aims to discuss the findings of Schema Therapy in the treatment of Alcohol-Related Disorders, extending the understanding of the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and drug-seeking behaviors. The results found revealed discrepancies in characterization of the EIDs profile of alcohol users, but in general it was found that patients with Alcohol-Related Disorders report higher scores of EIDs. The development of researches focused on the application of Schema Therapy in addictive disorders is important since some evidences have been suggesting the potential benefits of this approach in the treatment of Alcohol-Related Disorders.

Keywords : alcohol-related disorder; cognitive behavior therapy; therapy; schema therapy.

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