Efficacy of a Cognitive-Behavioral Relapse Prevention Model in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence in Iran: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Relapse following abstinence from substance use is common. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of training, based on a cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention model in individuals with opiate dependence. Methods: A total of 50 substance abusers were selected via simple random sampling among the clients of Aftab Center, Tehran, Iran for substance dependence treatment. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: routine addiction treatment program and the developed intervention, plus the routine addiction treatment program. All the subjects completed the questionnaire on demographic variables and addiction history, Inventory of drug-taking situations, and drug avoidance self-efficacy scale at baseline and after the intervention. The patients were followed-up for 3 and 6 months after the intervention. ANOVA, Chi square test, and ANCOVA test were performed for data analysis, using SPSS version 19. Results: In this study, the mean age of the subjects was 38 ± 11.26 years. Based on the results, social pressure was the most frequent high-risk situation, followed by negative emotional and physical states. In the 3-month follow-up, 8 and 24 of the subjects from the intervention and control groups dropped out, respectively. Nevertheless, no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the dropout rate. At the end of 6 months, 84 and 48 of the subjects from the intervention and control groups showed abstinence from drug use, respectively. The findings indicated a significant difference regarding self-efficacy between the groups (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Design of interventions based on cognitive-behavioral models, which can improve self-efficacy, may be effective in relapse prevention. © 2018, Shiraz E-Medical Journal.