Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Effective in Treating Addiction? A Systematic Review

Abstract

Although many psychological therapies are used to treat addiction, the majority have significant limitations in reducing symptoms or maintaining changes in the long term. The aim of this study was to review the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), evaluating the changes in patients' symptoms and quality of life both after treatment and in the follow-up period. The study also evaluated the acceptability of this intervention. After analyzing 17 randomized clinical trials, it was found that ACT is equally effective in treating substance abuse as empirically validated therapies and more effective than inactive treatment. Additionally, it was found that, during the follow-up period, ACT showed equal or better results in reducing consumption compared with other forms of treatment. ACT was also more effective than other treatments in generating positive changes in the quality of life and the dimensions of acceptance and flexibility among patients, especially in the follow-up period. Finally, regarding the acceptability of the treatment, it was found that ACT was equally or more satisfactory than comparative treatments. In conclusion, ACT appears to represent an effective and acceptable alternative in treating addiction and substance abuse.[Psychiatr Ann. 2022;52(6):248–260.]