New Insights in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Thanks to Electrophysiological Tools.

Abstract

Objective: Substance use disorders (SUD) still represent a huge worldwide health problem, as, despite withdrawal, medication, social support and psychotherapy, the relapse rate (around 80% at one year following treatment) remains tremendously high. Therefore, an important challenge consists in finding new complementary add-on tools to enhance quality of care. Methods and Results: In this report we focus on new insights reported through the use of three electrophysiological tools (quantitative electroencephalography (EEG), QEEG; cognitive event-related potentials, ERPs; and neurofeedback) suggesting that their use might be helpful at the clinical level in the management of various forms of SUDs. Empirical evidence were presented. Conclusion: In light of encouraging results obtained highlighting how these electrophysiological tools may be used in the treatment of SUDs, further studies are needed in order to facilitate the implementation of such procedures in clinical care units.