# Arnold M. Washton

Arnold M. Washton is an American psychologist, author, researcher, and educator working in the field of addiction psychology since 1975. He has written several textbooks for graduate students and practitioners, self-help manuals published by the Hazelden Foundation, and over 30 articles in professional refereed journals. His work has influenced national policy and the development of best practices in addiction treatment. He continues to provide professional training seminars approved by the American Psychological Association and sponsored by academic institutions, including the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University.

## Education

A native of New York City, born and raised in The Bronx, Washton began his education in psychology at New York University where he earned a B.A. degree in 1968, followed by an M.A. from Queens College of The City University of New York 1973 and a Ph.D. in psychology from The Graduate School of the City University of New York in 1978.

## Career

Starting in the early 1980s, he brought to public attention the emerging epidemic of cocaine use in the United States and spearheaded an effort to formally recognize cocaine “addiction” as a phenomenon worthy of medical classification. This challenged the long-held but mistaken belief that cocaine was not truly “addictive” because abrupt discontinuation of cocaine use did not give rise to definitive withdrawal syndrome as is the case with heroin and other opioids. Washton’s work has also contributed to a greater understanding of the role of medication assisted treatment for addiction, including the clinical value of opioid antagonists such as naltrexone and naloxone. Washton has developed specialized approaches for treating addiction in high-fuctioning individuals including corporate executives, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. He has promoted evidence-based treatment protocol for substance abuse, including marijuana abuse, and has published on protocols for outpatient treatment of substance abuse.
He has been quoted in the press as a commentator on addiction issues, especially on topics related to challenges faced by professionals struggling with alcohol and other drug problems.

### Clinical work

In 1998, Washton founded Recovery Options, a private practice in New York City. With his wife, Loraine Washton, he formed The Washton Group in Princeton, NJ, offering a range of online telehealth addiction and mental health services. The Washton Group specializes in the treatment of executives, professionals, and their families. Treatment incorporates group and individual therapy to support diverse substance use goals, including abstinence, harm reduction, and alcohol moderation. In clinical practice, and in publications, he advances the thesis that "willpower" should not be viewed as a necessary and sufficient condition for recovery.

### Academic positions

In addition to his clinical practice, Washton provides professional training and continuing education webinars approved by the American Psychological Association many of which are sponsored by Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology.

### Public service and policy advocacy

Washton has served on the Substance Abuse Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Psychological Association and has provided expert testimony on drug abuse trends in America to both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

## Publications

Washton has written ten textbooks published between 1987 and 2023, four monographs published by the Hazelden Foundation (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation), and over 30 articles in refereed journals, including early investigation of the efficacy of Naltrexone. "Treating Alcohol and Drug Problems in Psychotherapy Practice: Doing What Works", co-authored with Joan Zweben, was published in 2006 and updated in 2023.

### Selected publications

* Washton AM, Gold MS. (Eds.) (1987). Cocaine: A clinician’s handbook. New York: Guilford.
* Washton, AM. (1989). Cocaine addiction: treatment, recovery, and relapse prevention. New York: Norton Professional Books.
* Washton AM, Boundy D. (1989C). Cocaine and crack: What you need to know. Hillside, New Jersey: Enslow Publishers/
* Washton AM, Boundy D. (1990). Willpower’s not enough: Recovering from addictions of every kind. William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (September 26, 1990)
* Washton AM. Quitting cocaine. (1990). Center City, MN: Hazelden.
* Washton AM. Staying off cocaine. (1990). Center City, MN: Hazelden.
* Washton AM Maintaining recovery. (1990). Center City, MN: Hazelden.
* Washton AM, Stone-Washton, N. (1991). Step Zero: Getting to recovery. Center City, MN: Harper-Hazelden.
* Washton AM (Ed.). (1985). Psychotherapy and substance abuse: A practitioner’s handbook. New York:Guilford.
* Washton, AM. (2008). Quitting cocaine: your personal recovery plan. Center City, MN: Hazelden.
* Washton, AM, Zweben, JZ. (2009) .Cocaine and methamphetamine addiction: treatment, recovery, and relapse prevention. New York: Norton Professional Books.
* Washton, AM, Zweben, J.E. (2nd Edition, 2023). Treating Alcohol Drug Problems in Psychotherapy Practice Doing What Works New York, Guilford.