The effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on the burden in drug dependent persons' caregivers: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Drug dependence is one of the current problems that leads to the drug dependents persons' suffer and imposes a huge mental burden to their family members. This study aimed investigating to determine the effect of cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT) on the burden of the caregivers of drug dependent people. In CBT, caregivers discover thought and behavioral mistakes and recover them. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 caregivers of drug dependent individuals referring to one of the clinical and educational centers in Isfahan, Iran, which were randomly assigned to two equal groups (intervention and control) in 2016. Intervention group under went eight 90-min CBT sessions, whereas control group attended 3 group sessions to express their experiences. Data were collected by Zarit Burden scale and the demographic questionnaire and analyzed by independent t-test, Chi-square, and ANCOVA repeated measure through SPSS 18. Results: Before the intervention, no statistical difference was observed among two groups in the mean scores of burden ( t = 0.75, p = 0.46). There was a significant difference between three time points in the intervention group ( F = 3.24, p < 0.001). However, care burden mean score did not show a significant reduction in the control group ( F = 0.17, p = 0.96). Conclusions: The CBT can lead to reduction of burden in drug dependent caregivers'. We suggest encouraging nurses to establish educational programs such as CBT to maintain and improve caregiver's mental health.

Psychosocial Interventions to Improve Psychological, Social and Physical Wellbeing in Family Members Affected by an Adult Relative’s Substance Use: A Systematic Search and Review of the Evidence

“…Five of these trials reported improvements in the others’ affected psychological wellbeing for one or more of the reported outcomes. This related to anxiety [ 79 , 80 ], depression [ 81 ], self-esteem [ 82 ], coping [ 82 ], co-dependent behaviour [ 83 ], and partner enabling behaviour [ 80 ]; one trial reported a reduction in the burden of care for family members of drug users [ 84 ]. Conversely, no improvement was reported relating to anxiety in family members of alcohol users [ 81 ] or mental health problems in families of drug users [ 85 ].…”

Perceived Stressors and Support in Family Caregivers of Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder

“…Family caregivers in this population might benefit from increased organizational support and evidence-based interventions designed by healthcare professionals to foster resilience and coping. Using cognitive behavior therapy as an intervention effectively reduced caregiver burden associated with OUD in a randomized controlled trial in Iran (Faghih & Pahlavanzadeh, 2019). Programs that offer resiliency training such as the Mastery, Openness to experience, Reflective attitude, and Emotional regulation (MORE) wisdom training have also shown some benefit with family caregivers; however, more research is still needed (Kim & Knight, 2017).…”

“…Significant caregiver burden can result in socioeconomic deprivation from expenditures on healthcare treatment and rehabilitation, legal fees, and lost wages (Biegel et al, 2010; Cicek et al, 2015). Caregivers to this population with OUD also have increased difficulty coping and problem solving related to a range of economic and legal problems, social isolation, poor physical health, psychiatric illness, and violence (Cosentino et al, 2017; Faghih & Pahlavanzadeh, 2019; Maina et al, 2021). Recent research findings also indicate caregivers of individuals with SUD experience a lower quality of life and have higher family stigma (Rohit et al, 2019).…”

Efecto de una intervención cognitivo-conductual en cuidadores de niños con TEA: depresión, ansiedad, estrés y calidad de vida

“…Este mismo hallazgo lo reportaron Ruiz-Robledillo y Moya-Albiol (2015) en un estudio no experimental en el que se utilizaron técnicas de estrategias de afrontamiento centradas en problemas y de relajación. Además, las intervenciones cognitivo conductuales han mostrado ser un tratamiento efectivo para disminuir la sobrecarga percibida en muestras de cuidadores de personas con diversas afectaciones (Faghih & Pahlavanzadeh, 2019;Mosley et al, 2021;Rosas-Santiago et al, 2018.…”