neuroscience-informed psychoeducation for recovery: a program to promote metacognition in people with substance use disorders

Introduction: a brief neuroscience-informed psychoeducation program (neuroscience-informedpsychoeducation for recovery [niper]) was developed to promote awareness (metacognition) in themain cognitive domains affected by drug and alcohol use to increase willingness to invest time andeffort in the brain and cognition recovery process. the primary aim of this pilot study was to determinethe feasibility and acceptability of the niper program and its potential effectiveness in increasingmetacognition, psychological wellbeing, and willingness for the brain and cognition recovery programsamong patients with substance use disorders (suds).methods: a total of 56 patients with suds were recruited from four outpatient treatment centers in tehrancity, iran. they participated in four 90-min weekly sessions delivered adjunct to their routine treatment.the program’s effectiveness was measured in terms of metacognition and psychological wellbeing atbaseline and the end of the program. the rate of adherence and participation and willingness to continuewith brain and cognition recovery programs were measured as feasibility outcomes.results: a total of 51 participants completed the study. compared to the baseline assessments, patientsreported more problems in dimensions of attention, memory, inhibitory control, decision making, motor/speech, interoception, insight, and a higher level of psychological wellbeing (t=4.66; p<0.001). in termsof feasibility outcomes, the adherence and participation rates were found above 85%. most participantsexpressed their high willingness to continue the brain and cognition recovery programs (86.2%) and wouldintroduce niper to their peers (98%).conclusion: considering the pilot results in terms of feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of niperin the clinical context of addiction treatment, we think that niper is a potentially beneficial interventionto be offered to people with sud. it would increase their awareness and engage them in the brain andcognition recovery process. however, the clinical efficacy of the intervention should be tested in futurerandomized clinical trials.