Effect of Emotional Intelligence Training on Methadone-Treated Methamphetamine Users in Qazvin, Iran

Background: drug users have lower emotional intelligence (eq) than other members of society. this study aimed to determine the effect of eq training on methadone-treated methamphetamine (meth) users. methods: this randomized clinical trial with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted on methadone-treated meth users referring to the drop-in center in qazvin, iran. the subjects completed the wechsler adult intelligence scale (wais), and those who scored higher than 80 (n = 70) were entered into the study and randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. the bar-on emotional quotient inventory (bar-on eq-i) was administered for both groups. subsequently, the intervention group participated in weekly 90-minute eq training sessions for 4 sessions held by a psychiatric assistant. however, the control group received no intervention. both groups were re-evaluated by the bar-on eq-i 3 months after the end of the training sessions. eventually, qualitative and quantitative variables were compared between the two groups using an independent t-test and chi-square test, respectively. findings: based on the results, the eq training program could significantly improve the eq score in the intervention group (p = 0.03). nevertheless, it showed no effect on reducing meth use (p = 0.13). conclusion: eq training for meth users could increase eq. nonetheless, further studies with more effective methods are required to reduce meth use.