The outcome of integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy in Egyptian patients with substance use disorder

The authors aimed to evaluate the outcome of combined motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy (MICBT) for substance use disorder compared to the twelve-step facilitation (TSF) therapy in terms of retention in the treatment program, the number of relapses, and the period of abstinence after discharge, coping with craving, and modification of problematic behaviors. This randomized controlled trial included 60 individuals with a substance use disorder. Participants were randomly allocated to equal groups. The MICBT group received 20 sessions of approximately 90 min of MICBT group therapy. The NA (control) group was assigned 20 narcotic anonymous (NA)-oriented TSF group therapy sessions. The assessment was conducted 3 and 6 months after the intervention. The implementation of MICBT in a group setting leads to a significant decline in the number of days of drug use in 3 months of follow-up (P = 0.006) and 6 months of follow-up (P < 0.001), an increase in the number of days of abstinence in 3 months of follow-up (P = 0.008) and 6 months of follow-up (P < 0.001), a longer time to the first lapse (P < 0.001), and a higher percentage of attendance days for treatment (P < 0.001) in comparison to NA groups. MICBT intervention was a significant positive predictor of several urge-specific coping strategies and several general strategies for drugs (P < 0.05). Using MICBT in group settings presents several benefits in clinical contexts.