The Effectiveness of Matrix Interventions in Reducing the Difficulty in Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients

Craving is a persistent factor in addictive behaviors. The aim of study was to investigate the effectiveness of matrix interventions in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients.

The research method was experimental and the research design was pre and posttest with the control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all methamphetamine-dependent patients who visited the Golestan hospital of Ahvaz in 2019. Among them, 40 ones were selected by a purposive sampling method and were randomly classified into experimental and control groups (n = 20 per group). The Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving Questionnaires were used for data collection. The experimental group received the matrix program (24 fifty-minute sessions), but the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Significant level was set at 0.05.

The results indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation (F = 13.483, Pvalue < 0.001). The research results also indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing craving in methamphetamine- dependent patients (F = 60.716, Pvalue < 0.001).

According to results, the therapy could be used to reduce the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients.