Group cognitive behavioral therapy as an effective approach for patients with alcohol dependence: A perspective study

Abstract

Alcohol dependence (AD) syndrome refers to a strong addiction to alcohol and high tolerance physiologically or psychologically, due to the repeated consumption of alcohol-based substances. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) on patients with AD. A total of 128 patients with AD were randomly assigned to the GCBT or control group. Patients in the GCBT group underwent an 8-week GCBT in addition to conventional treatment, and patients in the control group only received conventional treatment. The insight and treatment attitude questionnaire (ITAQ) score, chronic disease selfcognition evaluation score (CDSCES), treatment adherence, and relapse rate at 6 and 12 months were compared among the 2 groups. The ITAQ scores of the GCBT group, after treatment, increased significantly compared to those of the control group (19.69% vs 13.26%, P < .001). The CDSCES in the GCBT group increased significantly compared to those in the control group after treatment (3.98 vs 2.18, P = .001 for problem-solving ability; 8.08 vs 5.08, P = .001 for self-management efficacy; 4.29 vs 3.30, P = .005 for a positive response, and 4.84 vs 3.44, P = .008 for a social function, respectively). After treatment, the percentage of patients with AD with full compliance in the GCBT group was much higher than in the control group (93.8% vs 65.6%, P < .001). Contrastingly, the percentage of patients with AD with partial compliance in the GCBT group was much lower than that in the control group (3.2% vs 34.4%, P < .001). The relapse rate (%) of drinking in patients with AD in the GCBT group was much lower than that in the control group (1.56% vs 21.8%, P = .001 for 6 months and 4.7% vs 51.6%, P < .001 for 12 months). The results suggest that GCBT for 8 weeks is an effective approach for patients with AD, improving problemsolving ability, self-management efficacy, positive response, and social function, leading to increase in treatment compliance, and reducing relapse rate.