Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Brief Intervention on Relapse Prevention among Drug Users

Davasaz Irani, Reza; Ahmadi, Reza; Norouzi, Shahin; Ghazanfari, Ahmad

doi:10.34172/ahj.2022.1342

Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Brief Intervention on Relapse Prevention among Drug Users

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Reza Davasaz Irani ¹

Reza Ahmadi ¹

Shahin Norouzi ²

Ahmad Ghazanfari ¹

¹ Department of Psychology, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran

² 1 Department of Psychology, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran 2 Department of Psychiatry, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jandishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

10.34172/ahj.2022.1342

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and stability of group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and brief
intervention (BI) for relapse prevention (RP) among drug users of drop-in-centers (DICs) in Ahvaz, Iran.

Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental one with a pretest-posttest design, a follow-up phase, and a control group.
The statistical population included all drug users of drop- in-centers of Ahvaz in 2021. The sample of the study included 78 drug
users selected randomly and assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (each 26 members). A morphine test
(special kits) that detects the presence of morphine in urine was used to check the relapse. Data were analyzed using repeated
measures ANOVA with SPSS (version 24).

Findings: The results showed BI and CBT had a significant effect on reducing RP in drug users (P<0.001). The BI was more
effective than CBT for RP.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that both BI and CBT can be effective in reducing the likelihood of relapse among drug users but
BI is more effective than CBT for RP.

Keywords

Brief intervention

Relapse prevention

Drug users

Cognitive-behavioral therapy