The Effectiveness of Group Reality Therapy Based on Choice Theory on Responsibility, Locus of Control, and Dose Reduction of Agonist Drugs in Substance-Dependent Individuals under Maintenance Treatment

Objective: The present research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of group reality therapy based on choice theory on responsibility, locus of control, and dose reduction of agonist drugs in substance-dependent individuals under maintenance treatment. Method: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all individuals referring to addiction treatment centers in the city of Ardakan in 2020. Among them, 16 people were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. Group reality therapy based on choice theory was performed on the experimental group in ten 90-minute sessions with a frequency of one session per week. Data were collected using the psychological responsibility scale, the locus of control scale, and the prescribed dose of agonist drugs in the medical records of the subjects and analyzed by the repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: The results showed that group reality therapy based on choice theory was effective in improving responsibility and locus of control, and reducing the agonist drugs in substance-dependent individuals under maintenance treatment. Conclusion: This research provides empirical support for the intended intervention to improve the locus of control, responsibility, and reduce the dose of substance-dependent individuals under maintenance treatment.