Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Improving Mental Health and Quality of Life of Spouses of Patients under Methadone Maintenance Treatment, a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Drug abuse by a family member is associated with adverse psychological consequences for other family members. The research background indicates the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on the psychological components of addiction. This study was conducted aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on improving mental health and quality of life of the addicted spouses. In double-blind randomized clinical trial, from April to September 2016, 30 patients under methadone maintenance treatment were selected through respondent-driven sampling and randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups by block randomization. Cognitive-behavioral therapy was presented to the experimental group in the form of a classic protocol in eight weekly sessions and the control group was merely received routine treatments of the center. Data were collected at two intervals of before and after treatment by two mental health and quality of life questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed using covariance analysis in the software environment of SPSS 22. The primary outcomes showed that the mental health index was significantly improved in the experimental group (0.000). Also, the secondary outcomes showed an increase in the scores of quality of life (0.000). The results of this study, while confirming the research background on the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on the psychological indices of families with an addicted member, can be used in designing of treatment interventions in the field of addiction. However, further studies are needed in this regard.