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DRUG ADDICTION
The most frequently used medical treatment methods for drug addiction are:
Medications, psychotherapies, and detoxification programs. (Luigjes J. et al, 2013) Neurofeedback has been added to medical treatments in the last 15 years. (Scott WC. et al, 2005)
Success of medical treatments other than neurofeedback used in alcohol and drug addiction:
More than 70% of alcohol and drug users relapse within a few months of completing medical treatment. (Marlatt GA, George WH., 1984; Higgins ST. et al, 1995) 60% of heroin addicts relapse after drug treatment. (Gossop M. et al, 2002) 80% of cocaine addicts relapse after treatment. (Kang SY. et al, 1991) The success rate of alcohol treatment with classical methods (medications, psychotherapy, and addiction treatment centers) is 20-44%. (Hammond DC., 2011)
Success of Non-Drug Neurofeedback Treatment in Drug and Alcohol Treatment:
There are controlled studies demonstrating the success of Neurofeedback in drug and alcohol treatment. The success rate is 78% when NF therapy is added to the treatment.
Neurofeedback Treatment According to Evidence-Based Medicine Criteria:
Reviewed evidence confirms the potential of Neurofeedback treatment to double or even triple treatment success rates when added to conventional alcoholism and substance abuse treatment. Yuchta-Gilbert AAPB stated that it falls into the "Potentially effective" category (3 according to Evidence-Based Medicine Criteria). (Sokhadze TM. et al, 2008)
Some studies demonstrating the success of neurofeedback therapy:
They showed that neurofeedback therapy, when combined with psychotherapy, has a positive effect on substance abuse. (Unterrainer HF. et al, 2014)
Neurofeedback is used in the treatment of substance addiction (Rosenfeld JP., 1992), in opiate addiction (Arani et al, 2013; Arani et al, 2010), in reducing cravings for heroin and cocaine addicts (Heinz et al, 2006), and in their treatment; Neurofeedback therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of crack and cocaine addiction (Higgins ST. et al, 1995), methamphetamine addiction (also known as crystal or ice) addiction (Rostami, Arani, 2015), and the lasting effect of neurofeedback therapy after chemical substance abuse treatment (Bodehnamer DE. et al, 2004).
According to reports from a similar treatment program given to 270 homeless "crack" cocaine addicts (Burkett VS. et al, 2005), adding neurofeedback to the treatment tripled the length of stay at the treatment center. In a one-year follow-up, of the 94 individuals who completed treatment, 95.7% had a home, 93.6% were employed or at school, 88.3% had no other arrests, and 53.2% did not use alcohol or drugs; furthermore, 23.4% had used alcohol or drugs only three times, findings confirmed by urine testing.
Arani et al. (2010) compared opioid addicts who received 30 sessions of neurofeedback and were treated outpatiently (with methadone or buprenoprin support) to a control group of addicts who were treated outpatiently only. Patients who received neurofeedback showed significant improvement in outcome scales (hypochondriasis, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, aggression, psychosis, positive outcome expectation, and drug use craving) and QEEGs.
Initial studies (Horrell et al., 2010) show that neurofeedback has the potential to reduce drug cravings in cocaine addicts.
95 substance abusers were randomly assigned to three groups: QEEG-assisted neurofeedback, SMR theta neurofeedback, and standard therapy. In the TOVA test, those receiving QEEG or SMR theta neurofeedback showed significant improvement and increased attention, while the therapy group showed no change. (Keith JR. et al, 2014)
Furthermore, it may have significant potential not only in healing but also in treating brain damage resulting from substance abuse. (e.g., Alper et al., 1998; Struve FA, et al, 1994).