Objective: This research was carried out to assess the role of cognitive variables, metacognitive dimensions and emotions in substance abuse behaviors among subjects referred to the addiction treatment center in the city of Bandar-Abbas, and to compare them with a normal group. Method: This is a case-control study in which 100 substance abusers and 100 normal individuals who were selected using convenience sampling, and matched by certain demographic factors, were compared with each other. Data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire, clinical interview, Metacognition (MCQ- 30), dysfunctional attitudes scale (DAS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistic method, T-Test, and Pearson correlation coefficient.Results: Results indicated that two dimensions of metacognition (negative beliefs about uncontrollability of thoughts and beliefs about cognitive confidence) were significantly associated with substance abuse. Also, substance abusers had experienced more anxiety, depression, and stress and a higher percentage of them in comparison with the normal group, showed dysfunctional attitudes from a cognitive perspective. Conclusion: From a metacognitive standpoint, substance abuse is an effective means of rapidly modifying cognitive events such as feelings, thought or memories. Therefore, it is likely that the relationship between emotion and substance abuse is mediated through metacognition. These results seem to suggest that the use of metacognitive theory could be helpful in the understanding and treatment of substance abuse.