Effectiveness of the Cognitive Restructuring Approach on Irrational Beliefs and Hopelessness in Individuals With a Substance Abuse Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, because of the increasing prevalence of addiction in society, there are many costs involved in treating addicts and returning them to normal lives. This will not be possible except in new and effective ways. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the cognitive reconstruction approach on irrational beliefs and hopelessness of people with substance abuse disorder. Methods: The statistical population of this study includes all people with substance abuse disorder, who were present in addiction treatment camps in Ardabil in 2018, from which 80 eligible people were selected using the available sampling method and Random methods were divided into experimental and control groups (40 people in each group). The experimental group underwent 8 sessions of 90 minutes of cognitive reconstruction intervention. Both groups completed the Ahwaz Irrational Beliefs 4-Factor Questionnaire and the Beck hopelessness test as a pretest and post-test. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Results: The results showed that the cognitive reconstruction approach was effective in reducing the irrational beliefs and hopelessness of the subjects in the experimental group (P<0/01). Conclusions: On the basis of this study, it can be concluded that cognitive reconstruction intervention can be effective in improving irrational beliefs and reducing hopelessness in people with substance abuse.