RESEARCH ON ADDICTION
Year:2019 | Volume:12 | Issue:48 (Special Issue 1) |Papers Count:18

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of problem-solving and assertiveness skills training in the attitude change toward substance abuse in adolescent girls. Method An experimental research design along with pre-test/ post-test/ control group was used for the conduct of the present study. The statistical population of this study consisted of female high school students in Tabriz during the academic year 2016-17. The research sample consisted of 30 students who were randomly selected using random multistage cluster sampling method and were randomly assigned to one experimental group and one control group. The experimental group received the training. Results The results of this study showed that problem-solving and assertiveness skills training can improve adolescents' attitudes toward drug use. Conclusion Life skills training, such as problem-solving skills and assertiveness can be used to prevent substance abuse.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of emotion regulation training in impulsivity and decision-making styles in female prisoners with drug abuse experience in Yasouj city. Method A quasi-experimental research design along with pre-test/ post-test/ control group was used for the conduct of this study. Thirty female prisoners in Yasouj with drug abuse experience (15 experimental group cases and 15 control group cases) were selected through simple random sampling as the research sample and received the 8-session curriculum of emotional regulation based on Grass model (1999). The data collection tools consisted of Barat Impact Inventory and Scott and Bruce Decision-Making Style. Results The results of this study indicated the effectiveness of the emotional regulation curriculum in reducing total impulsivity and cognitive, behavioral, and unplanned impulsivity in female prisoners with drug abuse experience. Moreover, the results showed that the training of this program has a significant effect on increasing the levels of rational and intuitive decision-making styles and reducing the levels of avoidant, dependent, and spontaneous decision-making styles. Conclusion With emotional regulation training, one can reduce the degrees of impulsivity among female prisoners with drug use experience and improve their decision-making styles. Hence, it is possible to mitigate the problems of these prisoners.

Objective The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of matrix therapy on methamphetamine-dependent patients' self-control in 2015. Method This study was conducted via a quasi-experimental research design along with pretest/posttest/ control group. The research sample consisted of 24 methamphetamine-dependent participants (12 ones in the experimental group and 12 ones in the control group) through simple random sampling and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. Schneider's Self-Control Questionnaire (1974) was used. Results One-way covariance analysis showed that matrix therapy improves self-control (P <0. 05). Conclusion It can be argued that matrix therapy is beneficial in increasing self-control and reducing return to substance use.

Objective Drug addiction is one of the most important health issues due to the difficulty of achieving sustainable treatment and the presence of high relapse rates despite detoxification and psychological interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of neurofeedback in the rate of craving and attentional bias to drug-related stimulants among substance abusers. Method A quasi-experimental research design with random assignment in experimental and control groups with pre-test and post-test was employed in this study. A total of 40 opiate-dependent patients who had presented to methadone treatment centers were selected as participants through random sampling. After responding to Desires for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) and Stroop Selective Attention Test, the participants were randomly assigned to two groups, namely experimental group (20 subjects) and control group (20 subjects). Neurofeedback treatment sessions consisted of 20 sessions where each session lasted 30 minutes. Then both groups responded to the above questionnaires again. Results Data analysis was conducted by running covariance analysis and it was shown that there is a significant difference between the experimental and control groups regarding the amount of craving and attentional bias in the post-test phase. Conclusion According to the current research findings, it seems that neurofeedback can reduce the rate of craving and attentional bias to substance symptoms among substance abusers. Therefore, it is recommended that therapists use neurofeedback as an intervention method for the treatment of addicts.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of psychological capital training in addicts' cognitive flexibility and resilience. Method A quasi-experimental research design with pre-test-post-test and control group was used for the conduct of this study. The sample of this study consisted of 30 addicted people who had presented to addiction treatment clinics in Khorramabad, Iran. They were selected in line with entry and exit criteria via random multistage cluster sampling method. The samples units were then randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. In this research, Dennis, & Vander Wal's Cognitive Flexibility Inventory and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were used to collect data. Results Data analysis showed that psychological capital training has a significant effect on increasing cognitive flexibility and resilience in addicted people (P<0. 05). Conclusion By means of psychological capital training, low cognitive flexibility and resilience, which are the main reasons for the persistence of drug use, can be improved in individuals.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of narrative therapy in generalized anxiety disorder and stress coping skills of the wives of addicts under treatment in addiction treatment clinics. Method This study was done via a quasi-experimental research design with two groups and three stages (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up). To carry out the study, among all women with opioid and industrial addicted husbands in the clinics of Najafabad city of Isfahan in 2017, 30 volunteers were selected via purposive sampling method in line with the entry and exit criteria. They were then randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). The GAD test and the Lazarus and Folkman Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) were administered to the participants in order to conduct the pre-test. The experimental group received eight sessions (two 90-minute sessions on a weekly basis) of narrative therapy. In the next step, one week after the intervention, both experimental and control groups took the post-test. Following the passage of 45 days, the follow-up test was also conducted. Results The results indicated that narrative therapy has a significant effect on the generalized anxiety disorder and stress coping skills of the addicts' wives under treatment in addiction treatment clinics (p<0. 05). These results have remained stable over time. Conclusion Therefore, narrative therapy can be used to increase the mental health of addicted families in health centers.

Objective Substance abuse in adolescence and adulthood is a major public health concern, which is associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders. A wealth of studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of teaching prevention methods (emotional-social skills) in reducing addiction and addictibility. The aim of this study was to draw a general conclusion on the effectiveness of emotional-social skills training in the reduction of addictibility. Method To achieve the objectives of this meta-analysis, the quantitative results of 25 selected papers, which were obtained according to the exit and entry criteria and keywords, were used. A total of 47 effect sizes were obtained and were analyzed via CMA2 software. Results According to the investigation of the heterogeneity, the results of the results, the random effects model was found appropriate where the mixed effect size of training impact on reducing addiction was obtained large (-0. 75) based on Cohen criterion. The results also showed that the effect size of skills training impact on addiction potential is greater than that addictibility and confessions to addiction. In addition, comparison studies were more than correlation studies. Conclusion Based on the magnitude of the obtained effect sizes, it can be concluded that emotional-social skills training has a high effect on the reduction of addictibility. Therefore, the promotion of emotional and social skills can be effective in preventing people's tendency to drug abuse.

Objective Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has recently applied as a technique in the domain of drug use disorders. In this paper, we reviewed the articles and studies carried out in this field in order to examine the issues pertaining to the methodology, its application, and its effectiveness in the area of drug use disorders. Method The number of 24 papers was selected out of 60 available papers. Among them, 22 studies had examined the effect of tDCS prefrontal cortex and 3 studies had investigated the effectiveness of tDCS in reducing drug use craving. Results It is not still possible to argue for the effectiveness of tDCS as a very effective treatment for reducing drug use craving. Conclusion Small sample sizes, different protocols, duration of the study, and lack of any follow-ups were among the main limitation of these studies; however, it can be used as a complementary treatment.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy training in craving beliefs and drug-related beliefs in methadone-treated addicts in Sanandaj city. Method A quasi-experimental research design along with pre-test/ post-test and control group was used in this study. For this purpose, 30 participants were selected through convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to two 15-person groups. Results The results showed that MBCT training has a significant effect on the reduction of craving beliefs and drug-related beliefs. Conclusion Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy training can play an important role in the prevention and treatment of drug dependence.

Objective Nowadays, the third wave of cognitive-behavioral therapy emphasizes the awareness and acceptance of feelings, emotions, and cognition by individuals rather than challenges with cognition. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy in reducing rumination and increasing psychological flexibility among methadone treatment addicts in Kermanshah. Method A quasi-experimental research design with the control group was used in this study. In the first stage, 40 patients were selected via convenience sampling method in line with the entry and exit criteria (not suffering from any personality disorder, minimum education degree of high school, no history of psychosis, passing one month after taking methadone, oral consent for participation, high score in rumination questionnaires, and low score in acceptance and commitment). In the next step, they were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. Results The results showed that acceptance and commitment therapy was effective in increasing the psychological flexibility and decreasing rumination in the participants (P <0. 001). Conclusion By means of training on acceptance and commitment therapy, rumination can be reduced and psychological flexibility increases and, thereby, the addicts under methadone treatment can be recovered.

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of group schema therapy in emotion regulation, self-efficacy, and temptation in male members of NA Association in Najafabad in the winter of 2016. Method A quasi-experimental research design along with pre-test/ post-test/ follow-up/ control group was used for the accomplishment of this study. The research sample consisted of 40 men from NA Association in Najafabad city and its suburbs where they were selected via purposive sampling in accordance with the entry and exit criteria and were then randomly assigned to one experimental group and one control group. The experimental group received ten 90-minute sessions of group schema therapy, while the control group did not receive any intervention until the end of the program and was just placed on the waiting list. For data collection, three questionnaires, namely, Gratz and Roemer's Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (2004), Sherer's Self-efficacy Scale (1982), and Fadardi's Persian Post-Detoxification Craving Questionnaire (2008) were used. Results The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of emotion regulation, self-efficacy, and temptation in post-test and follow up (P <0. 05). Conclusion Group schema therapy has useful practical implications in addiction treatment and relapse prevention.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of procedural emotion regulation training on self-compassion and difficulties in emotion regulation among addicts. Method The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test/post-test design with control group and follow-up stage. The statistical population of this study consisted of 129 men who had presented to Islamshahr Rehabilitation Center for addiction treatment during from July to August 2017. According to the exit and entry criteria of the research, 30 men were selected and randomly assigned to two groups, i. e. experimental group (n = 15 males) and control group (n = 15 males). The experimental group received procedural emotion regulation training based on Grass model during eight 90-minute sessions while the control group did not receive any training. The participants were evaluated through Self-Compassion Scale and Difficulties of Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) in three stages, i. e., before the intervention, the final session, and 75 days after the training. Results The results of this study showed that procedural emotion regulation training has a significant effect on self-compassion and difficulties in emotional regulation in the post-test phase and this effect remains stable during the follow-up phase. Conclusion It can be argued that procedural emotion regulation training reduces the degree of difficulties in emotion regulation in addition to increasing self-compassion. Therefore, it is suggested that psychiatric and counseling centers and addiction treatment centers benefit from this method in order to increase self-compassion and emotion regulation towards stable treatment of addiction.

Objective Meth-amphetamines are a group of amphetamines that are highly absorbent and effective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of well-being therapy in the dimensions of addiction severity index in active methamphetamine users. Method In a randomized clinical trial in the form of a single site study, from March to June 2016, the number of 30 consumers was selected voluntarily from among the active male methamphetamine users in Tehran. Then, they were randomly assigned to one experimental group and control group. The experimental group received 12 one-hour sessions of Well-being therapy on a weekly basis. The Addiction Severity Index and also urine test with the assumed threshold of 300 ng/ml were evaluated in a 12-week period (twice a week). Results The results represented the effectiveness of well-being therapy intervention in the two dimensions of mental status and consumption status of the participants (p <0. 01). However, secondary results showed that the consumption rate did not significantly decrease based on the urine test (p>0. 05). Conclusion The results reflect two implications, one of which confirms the effectiveness of interventions based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and the other is the inconsistency between the results of biological tests and self-reported data.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy in emotional representation and reduction of self-destructive behaviors in addicts with PTSD. Method This study used an experimental research design along with pretest-posttest control group. The statistical population of the present study included all addicts in the Urmia Hayat Addiction Treatment Clinic in 2016. After implementing Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on 170 members of them, 40 participants were selected and randomly assigned to two groups. Then, Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and Self-destructive Behavior Questionnaire were administered pretests. Participants in the experimental group received 12 sessions of cognitive processing therapy. The test was conducted. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Thereafter, the posttest was conducted. Results The results of this study showed that there is a significant difference between post-test and follow-up test in the mean scores of negative emotional representations and self-destructive behaviors. Conclusion The results of this study address the need for implementing a trauma-focused therapy like Cognitive Processing Therapy in order to treat the drug addicts who have been faced with post-traumatic stress.

Objective Addict's spouses are exposed to many psychological problems due to the consequent difficulties they experience in their lives. Therefore, they need training for dealing with these circumstances. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in psychological flexibility and psychological capital among methadone-treated individuals' spouses. Method A quasi-experimental research design along with pre-test, post-test, follow-up, and control group was employed for the conduct of the present study. The statistical population of this study included all spouses of methadone-treated patients in addiction treatment clinics in Semnan. From among this population, 30 spouses were selected by random sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. In the pre-test stage, both groups responded to Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Snyder's Hope Scale, Sherer Self-efficacy Scale, Optimism Scale, and Psychological Flexibility Scale. The experimental group received eight sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy; then, the participants took a post-test and a 2-month follow-up. Results The results of covariance analysis indicated the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in psychological flexibility and psychological capital (hope, optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy) in the experimental group in both post-test and follow up phases (p <0. 05). Conclusion The findings show that acceptance and commitment therapy can improve the psychological capabilities of addicts' spouses and this treatment can be used along with other treatments.