Improvement in measures of psychological distress amongst amphetamine misusers treated with brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).
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).
Feeney
G F X
GF
Alcohol and Drug Assessment Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia. Gerald_Feeney@health.qld.gov.au
Connor
J P
JP
Young
R McD
RM
Tucker
J
J
McPherson
A
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome