The Effectiveness of “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” on The Sense of Coherence of Addicts Undergoing Treatment with Methadone Maintenance

Substance dependence is the second most common psychiatric disorder. "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" is a behavioral therapy that is used in the treatment of addicts undergoing treatment with methadone maintenance. The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" on the sense of coherence among addicts undergoing treatment with methadone maintenance in 2022.

The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test with a control group. The statistical population included addicts treated with methadone maintenance in Chalus city in the summer of 2022. A statistical sample of 30 addicts treated with methadone maintenance was selected from the addiction treatment center in Chalus city. Then, using a simple random method of lottery type, 15 people were assigned to the intervention group and 15 people to the control group. Data collection instruments included demographic questionnaire and "Sense of Coherence Scale". The validity of the scale was not measured and previous researches were used. The reliability was measured by the internal consistency method by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" was implemented for the intervention group during 8 sessions of 90 minutes (2 sessions per week). The data were analyzed in SPSS. 22.

"Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" has been effective in improving the sense of coherence and sub-scales of manageability and comprehensibility among addicts undergoing treatment with methadone maintenance (P<0.05).

"Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" has an effect on the sense of coherence and its 2 subscales. It is suggested that mental health specialists in the field of addiction should take advantage of the above therapy and in this way try to increase the sense of coherence and mental health of addicts undergoing treatment with methadone maintenance.