ABSTRACT
Attempting to predict future developments in any area of science is always hazardous and the history of the treatment of substance dependence is littered with numerous trends, fads, and disappointments (White, 1998). Although often based upon our best science and compelling in principle, objective assessment of efficacy and/or tolerability often dashes the hopes of both the developers of new approaches and those supporting their efforts (e.g., drug companies, funding agencies). We do not have to look far to see disappointing findings associated with initially promising psychological treatments (e.g., cue exposure; Conklin & Tiffany, 2002) or pharmacological treatments (e.g., cannabinoid receptor antagonists; Soyka et al., 2008) that fail to live up to our initial hopes.
