cognitive-behavioral therapy for methamphetamine dependence among methadone-maintained patients

Background: cognitive-behavioral therapy has been suggested as a treatment program for methamphetamine dependence. objectives: the current brief report aimed to assess the effectiveness of 16 sessions of this treatment for abstinence from methamphetamine and improvement of psychological well-being among methadone-maintained patients. methods: overall, 200 male and female methadone patients who were on stable methadone doses were assigned to either an intervention group (n = 100) or a control group (n = 100). the study was part of a randomized controlled trial conducted in five methadone services in shiraz, near the persian gulf of iran. all methamphetamine-dependent participants were assessed using two questionnaires at baseline, post-test (the end of the 16th cognitive-behavioral therapy or control session), and a three-month follow-up that was conducted 90 days after the end of the 16th session. urinalyses were also conducted to detect methamphetamine use at the same assessment points. the control group was in a wait-list control condition. there was no participant attrition during the assessment procedures. results: overall, 30 participants in the treatment group became abstinent at post-test and remained abstinent at follow-up. 16 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy led to a significant reduction in methamphetamine use (p < 0.001) and improved psychological well-being (p < 0.001) in the treatment group while there was no significant change in the control group. conclusions: cognitive-behavioral therapy can be an efficacious option for methamphetamine problem in methadone treatment although further studies are suggested on long-term abstinence.