A cognitive-behavioral versus nondirective group treatment program for opioid-addicted persons: an adjunct to methadone maintenance.

Fourteen methadone maintenance individuals participated in a 10-week program comparing the relative effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral (CB) versus discussion-type (DISC) group in developing adaptive behavioral skills and self-evaluations. Posttreatment and follow-up results indicated that the CB group was significantly more successful than the DISC group in lowering reported levels of anxiety, depression, and situational non-assertiveness. These data are discussed in terms of a comprehensive, social rehabilitation program that involves multiple treatment techniques and measurement criteria.