Efficacy of group motivational interviewing plus brief cognitive behavior therapy (GMI-BCBT) for replapse within amphetamine users with co-occuring psychological problems at Southern Psychiatric Hospital in Thailand

Abstract

Amphetamine abuse is a crucial global health problem. Methamphetamine addiction leads to mental illness and recurring psychological problems. To date, research on combined therapy for group motivation interview and brief cognitive behavior therapy to treat drug addiction problems yielded inconclusive results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a combined Group Motivational Interviewing and Brief Cognitive Behavior Therapy (GMI-BCBT) plus usual care in reducing amphetamine dependency in drug abused patients with recurring psychological problems. A quasi-experimental study design is used, with 200 patients from two psychiatric hospitals forming two groups of participants. The patients reported amphetamine use at least once in the past month prior to this study. They were all assessed at baseline and with three follow-up sessions. Patients in one psychiatric hospital were assigned to usual care and assessment-only study group (n=100); and patients at the other psychiatric hospital were assigned to a 4 sessions of GMI-BCBT intervention plus usual care (n=100). Results showed that 59.5% of samples suffered from major depressive. The intervention group had significantly more survival rate from urine positive within 3 months (P value < 0.001). Both groups had similar in pattern of drug use in quantity and frequency. Their mean scores within group on Thai HADS were also significantly reduced at baseline and 3 and 7 months post intervention (P value < 0.001). These results suggest that the combined therapy of GMI-BCBT plus usual care positively reduce the rate of amphetamine use for the out-patients at psychiatric hospital.