Course Description:

Research has demonstrated strong correlations between insecure attachment and substance use disorder. Implications for treatment show that assessing insecure attachment styles can lead to increased awareness around thoughts, feelings and behaviors connected to unhealthy outcomes. Emotional Attachment Behavioral Therapy (EABT) is a therapeutic model based on Attachment Theory, which emphasizes how our attachment styles interact with our unhealthy behaviors and tendencies.

 The primary objectives of EABT not only assist in moderating behaviors but also assist to promote an increase in the amount and frequency of secure attachments in a person’s life. This model is unique with respect to working on both the root cause problems that attribute to the development of substance use disorder and the issues that resulted from SUD simultaneously. Our belief is this dual prong approach results in better short-term and long-term results for increased healthy outcomes and an improvement in relationships and quality of life.

Practitioners using Emotional Attachment Behavioral Therapy (EABT) prioritize creating secure attachments in the therapeutic relationship. This results in a higher degree of safety and positive client experiences. It also corresponds with higher rates of treatment success. In our Pilot study, 150+ clients using EABT had a +11% treatment completion rate, +15% engagement and retention rate, +13% transition rate, and a 46% lower rate of atypical discharges.

While larger studies are needed to expand on these findings our data suggests that EABT shows promise for improving SUD treatment outcomes and longer-term quality of life. It also demonstrates that if EABT can improve on root causes associated with the development of substance use disorders, then it could be a key factor for future preventative measures.

Course Goals:

• Participants will be able to apply the basic principles and primary objectives of Emotional Attachment Behavioral Therapy.
• Participants will be able to explain how attachment disorder correlates with behavioral health issues.
• Participants will be able to evaluate how attachment stressors can exacerbate thoughts, feelings and behaviors that increase unhealthy outcomes.

Notes: 

• NAADAC Counselor Group Skills: Clinical Intake and Screening, Counseling Services, Case management, Treatment plan, Discharge, Continuing Care and Professional Development
• Contact Hours & CEUs: 3.0 hours
• Cost: $30
• Approved by NAADAC, TDMHSAS, TCB and not approved for CPRS
• Is Lunch Provided? Snacks are included
• Handouts: will be given out before the training

Presenter:

Doug Smith, BS, CADC II, has a Bachelor's in Psychology from Eastern Oregon University and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level II. He has over 19 years of experience working in addiction services at Serenity Lane, including as a direct clinician (11 years) and recently as Clinical Director (4 years). He has innovated many modern approaches to treatment services, including developing new patient-centered treatment models. He developed the Emotional Attachment Behavioral Therapy (EABT) model and speaks regionally to professionals in the field about its positive outcomes.

In 2018, he received the Addiction Professional Community Service Award. Smith was also the recipient of the Innovator of The Year award in 2023 from the Oregon Association of Addiction Professionals for his development of the EABT model. He currently serves as Director of Clinical Innovations at Serenity Lane.