Effectiveness of counseling based on Lazarus Multimodal Theory on possible selves, locus of control and decrease of opiate craving in addicts under pharmochotherapy

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of counseling based on Lazarus Multimodal Theory on possible selves, locus of control and decrease of opiate craving in addicts under pharmochotherapy.

A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test and a two months follow- up with control group was used. The statistical population included 83 addicted men aged 20 to 45 years old under pharmochotherapy in addiction quitting center of Yaran in region 18 of Tehran in Iran. Through purposeful sampling method, 30 participants who met the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly assigned to two groups of CBLMT or control, n1=n2=15. Research tools were Rogers’s self concept questionnaire 1951, Rotter’s locus of control questionnaire 1966, Franken, Hendricks, Stan & Van den Brink’s opiate craving questionnaire (2002) which were administered in three stages for two groups and Counseling based on Lazarus Multimodal Theory (2008) to the experimental group during eight weekly, 90- minute sessions and data were analyzed using mixed model repeated measures analysis variance.

Finding showed that CBLMT had a significant effect on possible selves (F=36.51, P= 0.001), locus of control (F= 41.28, P= 0.001) and decrease opiate craving (F= 40.68, P= 0.001), and this effect remained stable at follow- up.

Since counseling based on Lazarus Multimodal Theory likely leads to change cognitions process and content and promote cognitive, affective and behavioral skills, effect on possible selves, locus of control and decrease of opiate craving. Hence, it can be used as a low- cost and effective counseling method for improving addicts under pharmacotherapy.