Acceptance and commitment therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of substance use disorder with incarcerated women.
OBJECTIVE
This randomized controlled study compared acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and a control group.


METHODS
The participants were 50 incarcerated women diagnosed with current substance use disorder. Two psychologists carried out pre- and posttreatment assessment and a 6-month follow-up assessment using the following instruments: Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Addiction Severity Index-6, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire.


RESULTS
The study shows that the women who received treatment benefited differentially from the interventions. At posttreatment, CBT was more effective than ACT in reducing anxiety sensitivity; however, at follow-up, ACT was more effective than CBT in reducing drug use (43.8 vs. 26.7%, respectively) and improving mental health (26.4% vs. 19.4%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
ACT may be an alternative to CBT for treatment of drug abuse and associated mental disorders. In fact, at long-term, ACT may be more appropriate than CBT for incarcerated women who present serious problems.
University of Oviedo.
Patricia Villagrá
PV
Lanza
Paula Fernández
PF
García
Filomena Rodríguez
FR
Lamelas
Ana
A
González-Menéndez
D064869:Acceptance and Commitment Therapy / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
acceptance and commitment therapy; cognitive behavior therapy; drug abuse; prison; women