Use of the Placebo Effect in the Psychotherapy of Narcology Patients: Therapeutic and Ethical Aspects

This review assesses the therapeutic potential of placebo and nocebo effects in the treatment of narcological disorders. The background of this issue is discussed and the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms of the placebo effect are addressed. Use of the placebo effect in psychotherapy is discussed. Particular attention is paid to the therapeutic and ethical aspects of the practical application of the placebo effect, including as part of treatment methods such as placebo therapy, object-oriented psychotherapy, motivational and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, Antabuse treatment, and psychopharmacotherapy with opioid receptor antagonists. The authors conclude that placebo effects can be used in the treatment of narcological disorders with the aim of increasing efficacy, subject to compliance with the main principles of medical ethics. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.