Cognitive skills training: impact on drug abuse counseling and readiness for treatment

Abstract

As part of an NIDA-sponsored project, the current study investigated the effectiveness of a skills program we developed called the TCU Cognitive Skills Module (CSM). The program was developed to address cognitive deficits that may impede substance abuse treatment within the criminal justice system. Probationers in a 4-month residential program (followed by 3 months of aftercare) were randomly assigned (by community) to receive standard treatment or treatment enhanced with the CSM program. Peer ratings, individual ratings of the community, and counselor assessments revealed that the CSM was effective in increasing perceived treatment effectiveness (particularly midway through the program). There was also some support for the CSM being especially effective for probationers who enter treatment with lower levels of treatment readiness.