Improvement in measures of psychological distress amongst amphetamine misusers treated with brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)

Addict Behav. 2006 Oct;31(10):1833-43. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.12.026. Epub 2006 Jan 20.

Abstract

This trial of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) based amphetamine abstinence program (n=507) focused on refusal self-efficacy, improved coping, improved problem solving and planning for relapse prevention. Measures included the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and Amphetamine Refusal Self-Efficacy. Psychiatric case identification (caseness) across the four GHQ-28 sub-scales was compared with Australian normative data. Almost 90% were amphetamine-dependent (SDS 8.15+/-3.17). Pre-treatment, all GHQ-28 sub-scale measures were below reported Australian population values. Caseness was substantially higher than Australian normative values {Somatic Symptoms (52.3%), Anxiety (68%), Social Dysfunction (46.5%) and Depression (33.7%)}. One hundred and sixty-eight subjects (33%) completed and reported program abstinence. Program completers reported improvement across all GHQ-28 sub-scales {Somatic Symptoms (p<0.001), Anxiety (p<0.001), Social Dysfunction (p<0.001) and Depression (p<0.001)}. They also reported improvement in amphetamine refusal self-efficacy (p<0.001). Improvement remained significant following intention-to-treat analyses, imputing baseline data for subjects that withdrew from the program. The GHQ-28 sub-scales, Amphetamine Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and the SDS successfully predicted treatment compliance through a discriminant analysis function (p<.001).

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders / psychology*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance
  • Self Disclosure
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome