Effectiveness of a spiritual adaptation of cognitive behavioural therapy in improving resilience, self-esteem and spirituality among clients with opioid use disorder: A quasi-experimental study.

UNLABELLED: WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a prevalent problem among Egyptian youth, and achieving recovery and abstinence is challenging. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a well-known approach, can be particularly beneficial when it addresses psychological aspects such as resilience and self-esteem. WHAT DOES THE PAPER ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Our research is recognized as a trailblazer in integrating a spiritual adaptation of CBT with spiritual elements for treating patients with OUD in the Egyptian context. This innovative approach marks a significant advancement in the field. The study found a statistically significant increase in the mean scores of resilience, self-esteem, and spirituality (p < .001 each) following the spiritual adaptation of CBT sessions compared to the control group. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: The findings can guide psychiatrists and nurses in providing more comprehensive and effective care to patients with OUD by incorporating a spiritual adaptation of CBT with spiritual components into treatment plans.

ABSTRACT:

INTRODUCTION

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a prevalent problem among Egyptian youth, and achieving recovery and abstinence is challenging. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a well-known approach, can be particularly beneficial when it addresses psychological aspects such as resilience, self-esteem and spirituality.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a spiritual adaptation of CBT in enhancing these factors among clients with OUD.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study with a control group was conducted using a pretest-posttest design. The study included 49 clients with OUD and 46 clients in the control group. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale-Modified Arabic Version, Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were used as measurement tools. CBT was delivered in 60-min group sessions. After 3 months, the questionnaires were re-administered to evaluate the effectiveness of a spiritual adaptation of CBT sessions.

RESULTS

The study found a statistically significant increase in the mean scores of resilience, self-esteem and spirituality (p < .001 each) following a spiritual adaptation of CBT sessions compared to the control group.

DISCUSSION: A spiritual adaptation of CBT effectively enhanced resilience, self-esteem and spirituality in clients with OUD.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Understanding the effectiveness of a spiritual adaptation of CBT in enhancing resilience, self-esteem and spirituality can enable psychiatrists and nurses to provide more comprehensive and effective care to patients with OUD.