In the evolving landscape of psychological treatment for behavioral and substance-related conditions, a 2025 systematic literature review by Hascher, Ossmy, and Pontes marks a significant advancement in our understanding of effective therapeutic interventions targeting substance use disorder and food addiction. Published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, this rigorous synthesis of existing research offers a comprehensive evaluation of treatment modalities, illuminating pathways toward improved clinical outcomes and novel therapeutic approaches.
Substance use disorder (SUD) and food addiction represent two critical and often overlapping challenges in mental health that demand precise and effective interventions. The complexity of these disorders arises not only from their biological underpinnings but also from the intricate psychological and environmental factors that perpetuate maladaptive behaviors. Hascher and colleagues meticulously dissected a growing body of literature to identify which psychological treatments demonstrate empirical support, thereby advancing the evidence base needed to inform clinical practice and policymaking.
Central to the review is the categorization of psychological treatment methods, which encompass cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), contingency management (CM), mindfulness-based interventions, and psychodynamic approaches. Each method targets unique facets of addiction pathology, from altering dysfunctional thought patterns and enhancing motivation for change to providing behavioral reinforcement and fostering emotional regulation through mindful awareness. By evaluating these modalities across various studies, the review elucidates the relative efficacy and applicability of each treatment type in the context of SUD and food addiction.
A notable highlight of the review is the robust support for cognitive-behavioral therapy across both substance use and food-related addictive behaviors. CBT’s structured approach, which actively challenges and reframes maladaptive cognitions alongside behavioral experiments, emerges as a consistently effective intervention, leading to significant reductions in craving and relapse rates. The integration of CBT techniques into treatment protocols enables clinicians to equip patients with practical tools for managing triggers and sustaining recovery, affirming CBT’s status as a gold standard in addiction psychotherapy.
Motivational interviewing, with its patient-centered counseling style, garners particular attention for its role in enhancing engagement and readiness to change among individuals resistant to traditional treatment. By harnessing intrinsic motivation rather than imposing external pressures, MI fosters a collaborative therapeutic alliance that empowers individuals to articulate their own goals and mobilize personal resources. The review emphasizes MI’s adaptability and effectiveness when combined with other treatment methods, especially in the early stages of intervention.
Contingency management is distinguished in the review for its innovative application of behavioral economics principles to addiction treatment. By systematically reinforcing positive behaviors through tangible rewards, CM leverages operant conditioning mechanisms to promote abstinence and adherence to treatment plans. While CM shows promise, especially in managing substance use, the authors discuss challenges related to long-term sustainability and ethical considerations surrounding external incentives.
The incorporation of mindfulness-based interventions marks a transformative shift in addiction treatment paradigms, reflecting growing recognition of the role of emotional dysregulation and stress in addictive behaviors. Techniques such as mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) enable individuals to cultivate nonjudgmental awareness of cravings and emotional states, thus interrupting automatic, compulsive responses. The review highlights emerging evidence supporting mindfulness approaches as effective adjuncts to traditional therapies, particularly in preventing relapse and improving psychological well-being.
Beyond individual treatment modalities, the review underscores the necessity of integrative and personalized approaches to addiction therapy. Given the heterogeneous nature of SUD and food addiction populations, blanket treatments may fail to address specific patient needs and comorbidities. The authors advocate for the development and validation of tailored interventions that consider genetic, psychological, and socio-environmental factors driving addictive behaviors, aligning with principles of precision medicine.
An intriguing dimension addressed in the review is the intersectionality between food addiction and substance use disorders. Despite distinct substance involvement, both disorders share neurobiological pathways involving reward circuitry dysregulation, making cross-application of psychological treatments a viable strategy. The authors encourage further empirical work to deepen our understanding of these overlaps and to optimize treatment protocols that accommodate shared mechanisms and divergent clinical manifestations.
The review also identifies key methodological gaps and limitations within the extant research, including variability in diagnostic criteria, small sample sizes, and short follow-up durations. These constraints impede the generalizability and long-term evaluation of treatment efficacy. To address this, the authors call for large-scale, randomized controlled trials with standardized measures and extended monitoring to solidify the evidence base and refine therapeutic recommendations.
Another promising avenue explored is the integration of digital health technologies and telepsychology into addiction treatment frameworks. While not extensively covered in earlier literature, the review spots an increasing number of studies evaluating internet-based CBT, mobile apps for self-monitoring, and virtual support groups. These innovations offer unprecedented opportunities to enhance accessibility, personalize care, and engage underserved populations, particularly in remote or resource-limited settings.
In terms of clinical implications, the review advocates for multidisciplinary collaboration among psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and primary care providers in managing SUD and food addiction. Such teamwork ensures comprehensive assessment and treatment planning that address medical, psychological, and nutritional dimensions. The authors stress the importance of ongoing training and supervision to equip clinicians with updated knowledge and skills in deploying evidence-based interventions effectively.
Crucially, this systematic literature review represents a timely response to the global public health burden imposed by addictive disorders, which continue to escalate in prevalence and societal cost. By synthesizing and critiquing treatment modalities, the review paves the way for optimizing therapeutic strategies that not only mitigate addiction’s grip but also bolster recovery trajectories and quality of life.
Looking forward, the authors propose several research directives, including exploring the neuropsychological mechanisms underpinning treatment responsiveness, investigating combinatory pharmacological and psychological approaches, and advancing culturally sensitive adaptation of therapies to accommodate diverse patient populations. Such endeavors promise to refine interventions, reduce health disparities, and potentiate recovery on a broader scale.
In conclusion, Hascher, Ossmy, and Pontes’ systematic review stands as a pivotal resource in the addiction treatment field, offering critical insights into the psychological methodologies that hold the most promise in combatting substance use disorder and food addiction. Its comprehensive scope, balanced critique, and forward-looking perspectives collectively contribute to shaping a future where tailored, effective, and accessible treatments ameliorate the complex challenges of addictive behaviors worldwide.
Subject of Research: Psychological treatment methods for substance use disorder and food addiction.
Article Title: Systematic Literature Review on Psychological Treatment Methods for Substance use Disorder and Food Addiction.
Article References:
Hascher, S., Ossmy, O. & Pontes, H.M. Systematic Literature Review on Psychological Treatment Methods for Substance use Disorder and Food Addiction. Int J Ment Health Addiction (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01553-8
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