The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy on Craving and Relapse in Addicts with HIV

Background: Today, one of the most important public health problems in the world is the unpleasant consequence of substance abuse disorders. This study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on carving and relapse among addicts with HIV in the Kermanshah city. Methods: The research design was quasi-experimental with the control group and post-test pretest. The statistical population was the addicts with positive HIV in Kermanshah City and 20 people were selected using the J Power sampling method based on the sample size formulation and were divided into experimental group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The experimental group received 10 sessions of cognitive-behavioral group therapy. Pretest and post-test of Wright's Relapse Prevention Scale (RPS) (1991) were used. Data were analyzed by using the covariance method with SPSS-23. Results: The results showed cognitive-behavioral therapy reduced the desire and risk of recurrence in the experimental group compared to the control group at the level p <0.001. Conclusion: The results showed the importance of cognitive-behavioral group therapy to reduce craving and relapse addicts with HIV. Therefore, depending on the importance of complementary aspects of drug therapy, psychological therapy may enhance addiction psychological problems.