Comparison of the Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and CompassionFocused Therapy on Blood Cortisol and Serotonin Levels in Drug Abusers

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and compassion-focused therapy (CFT) on the blood cortisol and serotonin levels in drug abusers.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted based on a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of all male drug abusers who were referred to the Adult Drug Abuse Clinic of Torbat-e-Heydariyeh, Iran, during 2018. In total, 60 cases were selected through simple random sampling and subsequently divided into two experimental (DBT, CFT) and one control group. Afterward, the experimental group participated weekly in 90-min training sessions for 10 weeks. On the other hand, the control group was on the waiting list and received no training. Afterward, the data were collected using a demographic characteristic form, as well as in vitro serum test of cortisol and serotonin levels before and after the intervention. Eventually, the data were analyzed in SPPS software (version 24) using Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

The results of MANCOVA revealed that self-control and blood cortisol had a significant effect on post-test in both DBT and CFT groups (P<0.005). However, given the mean differences, CFT showed more significant effects on the blood cortisol and serotonin levels, compared to DBT.

According to the findings, both DBT and CFT were effective in the reduction of cortisol and elevation of blood serotonin in drug abusers; however, CFT was more effective than DBT.