Effectiveness of Group Lifestyle Classroom in Reduction of Psychological Difficulties and Increase of Hope in Methadone Maintenance Patients in Kamyaran City

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of group lifestyle training in the reduction of psychological difficulties and increase of hope among the patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. Method: A semi-experimental research design along with pre-test/post-test and control group was employed for the conduct of this study. The statistical population of this study consisted of all addicted men treated with methadone in drug addiction treatment centers in Kamyaran city in 2016. The number of 30 male patients was selected as the participants through convenience sampling method. Then, they were randomly assigned to two 15-person groups. The experimental group received 10 group sessions of the interventional method of lifestyle change training and the control group did not receive any intervention. In both groups, Psychological Health Scale and Miller Hope Scale were used for data collection. Results: The results of covariance analysis showed that general health components decreased in the experimental group decreased while the means score of hope increased in them. Conclusion: Lifestyle training is effective in the reduction of psychological difficulties and the increase of hope among patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy.