Comparing of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) and Methadone Maintenance Treatment(MMT) on Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance and Decreased Craving in People with Substance Use Disorder(SUD)

Emotional problems, psychological distress and cravings are some of the side effects of substance abuse. The aim of this study was compare the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation and Methadone Maintenance treatment on craving reduction, emotion regulation and distress tolerance in people with opioid use disorder.

The present study was a quasi-experimental. The statistical population of this study was all people admitted to addiction treatment clinics in Hamedan in 2019, which 40 patients were selected by available and voluntary sampling in two experimental groups of methadone therapy (n = 13), electrical brain stimulation (n = 13) and a control group (n = 14). Subjects completed the Emotion Regulation Difficulty Scale, Distress Tolerance Scale, and measure the temptation of substances after leaving. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance.

The results showed that electrical stimulation had a significant effect on craving, emotion regulation and distress tolerance (p <0.05). Methadone therapy was effective in craving reduction and emotion regulation, but had no effect on distress tolerance. In comparison between the two experimental groups, no significant difference was observed in craving reduction (p> 0.05), but the effect of electrical stimulation on emotion regulation was greater.

Due to the greater effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on emotion regulation and distress tolerance, it can be used as an effective and complementary treatment, along with the usual treatments for substance use disorder and the emotional distress it caused.