The Effect of Combining Guided Mental Imagery with Drug Therapy on Reducing Craving and Relapse to Drug Use

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combining guided mental imagery with drug therapy on reducing craving and relapse to drug use in drug-dependent men in Tehran. Method: This research was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of the present study included all drug-dependent individuals in addiction treatment centers in Tehran Pars region of Tehran who were treated from October 2017 to March 2019 and had a medical record. 45 people were selected using cluster sampling as the study sample and were equally and randomly divided into three groups: guided mental imagery, guided mental imagery combined with drug therapy, and control. Craving and relapse to drug use were measured using the momentary craving scale and the temptation beliefs scale, respectively. Results: The results showed that craving and relapse to drug use were significantly lower in groups of guided mental imagery and guided mental imagery combined with drug therapy in the post-test stage compared to the pre-test stage. Also, there was no significant difference between the groups of guided mental imagery and guided mental imagery combined with drug therapy in reducing craving and relapse to drug use. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it can be stated that guided mental imagery and guided mental imagery combined with drug therapy have great effects on reducing craving and relapse to drug use, but there is no difference between their effectiveness. Therefore, guided mental imagery and guided mental imagery combined with drug therapy can be used as an appropriate way to reduce craving and relapse to drug use in drug-dependent men.