Effects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Cognitive and Executive Functions in Men With Substance Use Disorder Under Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Substance use disorder is a major public health problem, and its treatment is one of the most challenging issues facing clinical professionals. This clinical trial study investigated the effects of the dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) on cognitive and executive functions in patients under methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Participants included 50 people under MMT who referred to addiction treatment clinics in Kashan in 2018. They were randomly assigned to intervention (DBT + MMT) and control (MMT) groups. Participants in the intervention group received twelve 90-minute sessions of the DBT skills. The used assessments included Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Axis I Disorders, Iowa Gambling Task, Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, and Tower of London Task. The results showed that DBT improved cognitive and executive function. Risky decision making (F = 4.1, p = 0.04), attention (F = 18.2, p = 0.001), cognitive flexibility (F = 18.5, p = 0.001), problem-solving (F = 18.5, p = 0.001), and planning (F = 14.10, p = 0.003) showed improvement in the intervention group following DBT. Therefore, it can be said that DBT alongside the MMT can be useful for patients under MMT.