This text investigates the application of Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) as a structured clinical intervention for individuals struggling with alcohol and substance use disorders. The authors, led by Albert Ellis—the founder of RET—leverage decades of clinical practice to argue that cognitive restructuring is essential for addressing the underlying irrational beliefs that drive addictive behaviors. The book provides a systematic framework for practitioners to identify, challenge, and replace self-defeating thought patterns in a clinical setting.

The text serves as a foundational clinical manual, reflecting the direct, confrontational, and logic-based approach characteristic of Albert Ellis’s work. Its focus on practical application makes it a specialized resource for therapists seeking to integrate cognitive-behavioral methods into their addiction treatment protocols.