The Effectiveness of Integrated Meta-Diagnostic Therapy on Specific Symptoms of Major Depression, High Risk Behaviors, Emotion Regulation, and Anxiety in Methadone Dependents

Addiction is a psychosocial disease that causes psychological and physiological dependence of a person with these substances and has adverse physical, psychological and social functions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of integrated ultrasound treatment on the specific symptoms of major depression, high risk behaviors and anxiety of methadone-dependent individuals.

This study is a quasi-experimental study with intervention and control group. The statistical population of the study was all those who referred to addiction withdrawal clinic of Andisheh-e-Noah in Mashhad in the year 1398, ranging in age from 18 to 40 years, who were purposefully selected 15 patients in each group. Measurement tools included Hamilton Depression Inventory, Grass and John Emotion Regulation Scale, Mohammadi Risky Behaviors, and Structured Clinical Interview and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. The intervention group received 12 months of integrated ultrasound treatment for 12 sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Post-test was completed after treatment.

 The results of analysis of covariance showed that the integrated metacognitive therapy on the clinical symptoms of depression, emotion regulation, high risk behaviors and anxiety of methadone dependent persons was significant (p <0.05).

Integrated metacognitive therapy is effective on reducing clinical symptoms of depression, emotion regulation, risky behaviors and anxiety of methadone-dependent individuals.