Institute 6 - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Managing Cravings and Addictive Behaviors

Thursday, November 16, 2023

8:30 AM – 1:30 PM PST

Location: 602 (Nooksack), Level 6

Earn 5 Credit

Keywords: ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy), Addictive Behaviors,
Level of Familiarity: All
Recommended Readings: Karekla, M., & Kelly, M. (2022). Cravings and Addictions: Free Yourself from the Struggle of Addictive Behavior with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications., Kelly, M. M., Sido, H., Forsyth, J. P., Ziedonis, D. M., Kalman, D., & Cooney, J. L. (2015). Acceptance and commitment therapy smoking cessation treatment for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot study. Journal of dual diagnosis, 11(1), 50-55., Stavrinaki, M., Kelly, M., & Karekla, M. (2021). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Substance Use., Karekla, M., Georgiou, N., Panayiotou, G.P., Sandoz, E., Kurz, S., & Constantinou, M. (2020). Cognitive Restructuring vs. Defusion: Impact on craving, healthy and unhealthy food intake. Eating Behaviors, 37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2020.101385., Gloster, A. T., Walder, N., Levin, M.E., Twohig, M.P., & Karekla, M., (2020). The empirical status of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Journal of Contextual Behavior Science, 18, 181-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.09.009

Presenter(s)

Maria Karekla, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)

University of Cyprus
Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Megan M. Kelly, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychiatry
University of Massachusetts
Bedford, Massachusetts

The application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for the treatment of many problems where craving is a core feature is growing (e.g., substance use, tobacco use, overeating). Cravings are intense desires for using or consuming certain substances with the goal of feeling pleasure and satisfaction. They are a key component of addiction-related problems, including addictions to substances like tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. substance use, tobacco use, overeating). Individuals presenting with addictions often have difficulty managing cravings, although this is an inevitable aspect of experiencing substance use and other addictive behaviors. Research finds that cravings are reported by 58% to 97% of the general population (Gendall, Joyce & Sullivan, 1997), and they occur as often as 2–4 times-per-week (Hill, 2007). Difficulties involving cravings are associated with substantial distress, functional impairment, and low quality of life.

This workshop presents practical strategies based in ACT to help individuals to cope and manage cravings at the core of common addictions. The workshop will also present the latest research in ACT for dealing and overcoming cravings, and examine the efficacy, the mechanisms, and processes of change of ACT for the treatment of craving-related problems. Concepts will be illustrated using live demonstrations, experiential exercises, metaphors, and worksheets. This workshop is designed to teach skills needed to explore ACT as an assessment model and intervention method for addressing cravings and addictions. It will be mostly experiential and will balance an understanding of the model with a personal connection with the issues raised in ACT, and with skill development.

Outline:
- What are Cravings?
- Reasons for Addressing Cravings and Addictions
- Values and Addictions
- External vs. Internal Triggers
- Acting with Willingness
- Taking a Step Back From Cravings
- Self-Compassion
- Committed Action
- Common Challenges to Managing Cravings
- Addressing Slips and Relapses
- Getting Support for Managing Cravings and Addictions
- Other Treatments for Cravings and Addictions
- Summary and Wrap-Up

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, the learner will be able to:

Apply a functional behavioral analysis approach to craving-related problems.
Describe how to use mindfulness, acceptance, experiential exercises, metaphors, and defusion techniques, to improve well-being in individuals with craving-related issues.
Explain case conceptualization based on ACT processes and how to practically work with exposure of current cravings.
Explain the latest culturally-adapted ACT advances when working with craving related problems.
Discuss data on the efficacy of ACT for craving-related issues and addictive behaviors.
Utilize experiential exercises, role-plays, and a variety of hands-on techniques to cultivate a direct experience with the ACT approaches to craving and addictions.
Long-term Goal: Describe the basic tenets and core processes of ACT as they apply to cravings and addictions
Long-term Goal: Utilize experiential exercises, role-plays, and a variety of hands-on techniques to cultivate a direct experience with the ACT approaches to craving and addictions.