The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Reducing Cravings and Suicidal Ideation among Methadone Patients

Cravings and suicidal ideation significantly impact individuals undergoing methadone treatment. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is recognized for its role in enhancing mental and physical well-being. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing cravings and suicidal ideation among methadone patients. The sample consisted of 30 individuals undergoing methadone treatment in addiction centers in Tehran's second district during the second half of 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (undergoing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) and a control group. The intervention group received 90 minutes of mindfulness treatment in 8 weekly sessions, while the control group received no intervention. The Wright Material Craving Questionnaire (1997) and the Beck Suicide Thought Questionnaire (1901) were used for data collection. Data analysis employed descriptive tests (mean and standard deviation) and analysis of covariance with SPSS software version 23. Results revealed significant effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on both cravings (F = 15.74, p = 0.001) and suicidal ideation (F = 0.37, p < 0.001). The findings indicate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing cravings and suicidal ideation among individuals undergoing methadone treatment, suggesting its potential application in addressing psychological challenges in this population.