Effectiveness of Cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy in Mental, Spiritual, and Social Health of Addicts

Abstract

Background: The mental health of addicts and the selection of appropriate treatment methods are essential. Given the role of spirituality and social health of addicts in relapse prevention and treatment, this study aimed to assess cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in the mental, spiritual, and social health of addicted people.
 Methods: This interventional study utilized a pretest-posttest design with a control group. Addicts referred to the health centers of Birjand were selected in 2018 - 2019 through a convenience sampling method. According to the study’s objectives, eligible individuals were randomly divided into three groups of 32 people. The Social Well-being Questionnaire of Keyes, the Spiritual Health Questionnaire of Alison and Palowtzin, and the General Health Questionnaire of Goldberg were used in the study. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy were held in 12 60-minute sessions based on treatment protocols. After one month, the questionnaires were completed again. The chi-square test, paired t-test, and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data at a significance level of less than 0.05.
 Results: The three groups were similar in age, occupation, and education level. The mean scores of religious and existential health were significantly higher in the ACT group than in the control group after the intervention. Also, the paired t-test showed that the mean score of religious and existential health in the ACT group and the mean score of religious health in the CBT group significantly increased after the intervention compared to before (P < 0.001). Also, the mean scores of social actualization, social solidarity, social cohesion, social acceptance, and social participation were significantly higher in the ACT group than in the control group after the intervention. The paired t-test showed that the mean scores of social actualization, solidarity, cohesion, and participation in the ACT group and the mean scores of social acceptance and cohesion in the CBT group significantly increased after the intervention compared to before. After the intervention, the mean scores of physical health, low anxiety, non-dysfunction, and low depression were significantly higher in the ACT and CBT groups than in the control group (P < 0.001).
 Conclusions: Both ACT and CBT are influential in the mental, spiritual, and social health of addicts. Nevertheless, ACT has a more significant impact on the mental, spiritual, and social health of addicts.