CBT and the Matrix Model for Amphetamine Addiction
This literature review examines whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective treatment approach for amphetamine addiction. The paper begins by outlining the effects of amphetamine use — both acute and chronic — and the scope of the global addiction problem, particularly among adolescents. It then analyzes a large-scale multisite study comparing the matrix model, a 16-week manualized CBT-based protocol, against treatment as usual (TAU) across multiple outpatient settings. Key outcome indicators — including retention rates, session attendance, and methamphetamine-free urine tests — are evaluated. Finally, the review identifies practical limitations of the matrix model, including its length, cost, and intensive staff training requirements.
- Introduction: Scope, background, and three research questions
- Effects of Amphetamine Use: Acute and chronic effects of amphetamine
- Behavioral Therapy for Amphetamine Addiction in Adolescents: CBT and the matrix model overview
- Matrix Model vs. Treatment as Usual: Key Outcomes: Multisite study outcome indicators compared
- Limitations of the Matrix Model: Cost, length, and dropout challenges
- Conclusion: Recommendations for improving matrix model access
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper uses a focused research question structure, clearly stating three guiding questions and then systematically answering each one in turn, which makes the argument easy to follow.
- It grounds claims in specific empirical data — percentages, site-level means, and statistical tests — rather than relying solely on general assertions, lending credibility to the analysis.
- The review acknowledges the limitations of its primary intervention (the matrix model), demonstrating critical thinking rather than uncritical advocacy.
Key academic technique demonstrated
This paper demonstrates effective use of comparative analysis in a literature review context. By systematically presenting outcome indicators — retention rates, session attendance, MA-free urine, and abstinence periods — side by side for the matrix model and TAU, the author builds a cumulative, evidence-based argument rather than relying on a single study finding.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a broad contextual introduction establishing scope and research questions. It then addresses each question in a dedicated section: the pharmacological and behavioral effects of amphetamine, the effectiveness of CBT and the matrix model (supported by the Rawson et al. multisite study), and the practical limitations of the matrix model drawn from a secondary study. A brief applied conclusion closes the review with policy-relevant recommendations.
Introduction
Amphetamine is a stimulant drug primarily used in the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified amphetamine as a Schedule II drug, meaning it has accepted medical uses but a high potential for abuse (Drug Enforcement Administration, n.d.). Common prescription drugs include Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine. Amphetamine is also used for recreational purposes; popular street names include Crank, Black Beauties, Uppers, Bennies, Ice, and Speed (Drug Enforcement Administration, n.d.).
In 2016, approximately 34.2 million people had used amphetamine and its derivatives — MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamine hydrochloride — globally (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2019). Amphetamines are mostly taken orally as capsules or tablets, which can also be crushed and injected. Crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride is smoked or inhaled, while methamphetamine powder can be dissolved in water and injected intravenously (Drug Enforcement Administration, n.d.). Studies indicate that amphetamine addiction is a global problem and that adolescents are the most affected population. The stimulant is also easily accessible. The devastating consequences of amphetamine addiction have renewed interest among healthcare professionals in identifying the most effective treatment interventions.
This literature review explores whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best approach for treating amphetamine addiction. The following questions are addressed:
1. What are the effects of amphetamine use?
2. Is behavioral therapy effective at treating amphetamine addiction in adolescents?
3. What are the limitations of the matrix model?
Effects of Amphetamine Use
Amphetamine use is not a new phenomenon. Its usage can be traced back to the 1930s, when it was used to treat asthma and narcolepsy (Drug Enforcement Administration, n.d.). During World War II, soldiers on both sides used amphetamine to stay alert and perform more efficiently. Today, adolescents are using illicit amphetamines to boost their academic performance, resulting in high addiction rates among teens. Amphetamine addiction affects both the individual user and society at large: users can no longer live productive lives, and society incurs rising healthcare costs in treating stimulant-related disorders.
The effects of amphetamine use range from acute to chronic. Acute effects include increased alertness, decreased fatigue, heightened confidence, exhilaration, improved performance on tasks requiring sustained attention, and impaired performance on tasks requiring smooth, accurate muscle movements. Chronic effects include psychosis resembling paranoid schizophrenia, paranoia, hallucinations, violent behavior, skin picking, and preoccupation with one's own thought processes (Drug Enforcement Administration, n.d.).
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