Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)in Anxiety and Depression in Chronic Cannabis Users in Tehran
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Anxiety, Depression, Cannabis Users
Keywords:
Anxiety, Depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CannabisAbstract
Introduction:The use of cannabis is associated with psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression, so the present study aimed at examining the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on reduction of anxiety and depression in chronic cannabis users in Tehran.
Methods: This is a semi experimental study with pretest and posttest measurements. Among patients who referred to addiction center (Nyayesh center) in Tehran, those patients with 2-years Cannabis consumption were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of them, 36 members with depression and anxiety but without personality disorder were selected and assigned to two groups (n=18) randomly.
All participants completed questionnaires on Beck's Depression and Anxiety. Data were analyzed using variance analysis with repeated measures, ANOVA and paired t-tests with SPSS -24.
Results: Results showed that there is a significant differences between two groups in baseline after the sixth treatment session, at the end of the intervention, and three months follow upon reduction of anxiety and depression (p<0/001).Also, the results of follow up stage showed that there was a significant difference between anxiety and depression scores in two groups (F(3, 102)= 103.42, p<0/001(.
Conclusion: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) could reduce the anxiety and depression in chronic Cannabis users.
References
Belfiore E, Calarco F, Cricrì E, Leonello B. Anxiety and depression in addiction: investigation at a Ser.D center. Journal of Clinical and Developmental Psychology.2019., 1(3): 1‐11.
Choudhury R, Shakya S, Yadav PK, Kumar H. Prevalence of addiction among tuberculosis patients. Medico-Legal Update. 2020.,20(3):198.
Noorbala A. National Survey of Mental Health and Social Capital for Iranians of 15 Years Old and Older. Tehran: Tehran University of Medical Sciences Publications; 2019.
Heydari pahlavian A, Mahboob H, Rahimi A. Comparison thePrevalence Mental Disorders in People with Drug Dependent orIndependent in Hamedan City. Scientific Journal of Hamadan University of Medical Science. 2012; 18 (3): 22-28.
Sugarman DE, Nich C, Carroll KM. Coping Strategy Use Following Computerized Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 2010; 24(4): 689-695.
Ghasemnezhad S, Ghahari Sh. Efficasy of Matrix protocole on relapse prevention and improvement of quality of life in Methamphetamine abusers (90 dayes follow up).Turkish online journal. Special Issue for IETC.Jully.2016.
Ghahari S, Ghasemnezhad S, Saleh Ebrahimi A, Ghanbari N, Davoodi R, Maddadi S, et al. The
Efficiency of life skill training on emotional intelligence in chronic addicted women with a history ofspousal abuse. Chron Dis J 2020; 8(4): 201-4.
Hofmann SJ, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer, AT. Fang.A. The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Reviewof Meta-analyses. Cogn Ther Res. .2012.,36:427–440.
Rasekh B, Saw YM, Azimi S, Kariya T, Yamamoto E, Hamajima N. Associations of treatment completion against drug addiction with motivational interviewing and related factors in Afghanistan. Nagoya J Med Sci. 2018; 80(3):329-40.
Pak Seresht S, Alavi S. The effectiveness of short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy in the mental health of drug-users in Ahvaz. In: 4th International Congress on Addiction Knowledge; 2020; Tehran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
Kamarzarin H, Zare H, Brokimilan H. Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Increase the Effectiveness and Improve the symptoms of Addiction in Drug-Dependent Patients. . Journalof Addiction Studies. 2011;6(22): 75-85.
Asadi A, Farajzadeh Z. The effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on reducing depression among opioid addicts. In: Sixth International Congress on Addiction Science. 2015; Tehran, Iran University of Medical Sciences.
Karami J, Abbariki A, Jashnpour M. The effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on improving response inhibition in men with heroin abuse. Research on Addiction. 2020; 14(56):267-86. 14.
Hofmann SG, Smits JA. Cognitive behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo controlled trials, J Clin Psychiatry 2008;69(4): 621–632.
First MB, Gibbon M, Spaitzer RL, Williams JB, Benjamin LS. Users guide for the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV. Washington, DC:American Psychatric Press, Inc,1997.
FathiAshtiani A, Dastani M. Psychological tests: personality and mental health evaluation. Tehran: Besatpublication.2009.(Persian)
Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown G.K. Comparison of the Beck Depression Inventories- II in psychiatric outpatients. Journal of Personality Assessment.1996; 9: 180-9.
Kaviani H, Mousavi AS. Psychometric characteristics of the Beck Anxiety Inventory in Iranian population age and sex classes, Journal of Faculty of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. 1999; 66 (2): 14-136.
McHugh RK, Hearon BA, Otto MW. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders. The Psychiatric Clinics of North America.2010; 33(3): 511-523.
Bahadur Zade M, Jajarmi M, Jalalabadi M, Beygi, M. The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on anxiety in addicts with successful withdrawal,Urmia Medical Journal. 2014.,961-967.
Jandaghi F, Neshat Doost R, Kalantari M, Jabalameli Sh. Examine the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management Training on anxiety and depression in patients with physical drug abuse treated with methadone, Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2012., 4 (16).
Momeni F, MoshtaghBidokhti N, Porshahbaz A. The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on reduction of craving, depression and anxiety symptoms among the opiate abusers under MMT.Etiad Pazhohi Journal. 2011; 3(11): 83-98.
Juczyński A, Chodkiewicz J, Gąsior K, Ziółkowski M, Czarnecki D, Biedrzycka A,, Katarzyna
Nowakowska-Domagała . Craving sensation in the assessment of alcohol-dependent persons. Alcoholism and Drug Addiction. Science direct.2016., 29: 155-169.
Miji U, Hershberger AR, Cyders M,A. , The relationship among depressive symptoms. Urgency. And problematic alcohol and cannabis use in community adults. Addictive Behaviors. 2018., 88:36-42.
Dutra, L, Stathopoulou, G, Basden, SL, Leyro T M, Powers MB, & Otto M W. A meta-analytic review of psychosocial interventions for substance use disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry,2008., 165: 179–187.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Chronic Diseases Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 Unported License which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works for non-commercial purposes from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited properly.
