Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Improving Mental Health and Quality of Life of Spouses of Patients under Methadone Maintenance Treatment, a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Drug abuse by a family member is associated with adverse psychological consequences for other family members. Existing literature indicates the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on the psychological components of addiction. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT on improving mental health and quality of life (QOL) of the addicted spouses. Methods: In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, 30 patients under methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) were selected through respondent-driven sampling (RDS) and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups by block randomization. CBT was presented to the experimental group in the form of a classic protocol in eight weekly sessions and the control group was merely received routine treatments of the center. Data were collected by two mental health and QOL questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed using covariance analysis. Results: The outcomes showed that the mental health index was significantly improved in the experimental group. Also, the secondary outcomes showed an increase in the scores of QOL (all p’s<0.000). Conclusion: CBT counselling is effective in Improving Mental Health and QOL of spouses of patients opiate-dependent patients in MMT. This findings can be used in designing of treatment interventions in the field of addiction. However, further studies are needed in this regard.