Effect of Group Reality Therapy Based on Choice Theory on Attitude Change Reality in Substance Abusers under Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Tendency to drug dependence and substance abuse has been increased, and it has become the serious problem for communities. Drug dependence involves biological, psychological and social factors, which leads to physical and psychological problems. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of group reality therapy based on choice theory on attitude change reality of substance abusers under methadone maintenance treatment. This study is a quasi-experimental evaluation with pretest-posttest control group design. The participants (N=40) comprised of substance abusers referred to the addiction treatment clinics from October to December 2015 in Mashhad, Iran. Participants were divided into two groups (the intervention group received 10 weekly sessions of group reality therapy). Questionnaire was used to collect the information on attitude towards substance abuse, and multivariate covariance was employed to analysis the data. The results revealed that the group reality therapy based on choice theory provided negative attitude towards substance abuse in substance abusers under methadone maintenance treatment. It could be concluded that the reality therapy in substance abusers under methadone maintenance treatment is efficient in changing attitudes toward substance abuse, awareness of substance abuse, and seriousness of substance abuse risk.