Metaphoric interventions for challenging irrational thoughts and attitudes in substance use disorders
Abstract Background Substance use disorders are often accompanied by irrational beliefs and unfavorable attitudes that contribute to their development and persistence. Metaphor therapy, utilizing stories and imagery, has emerged as a potential intervention to reshape thoughts. This study aimed to in...
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| Format: | Article |
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SpringerOpen
2024-12-01
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| Series: | The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-024-00917-6 |
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| author | Hosnia Shehata Mohamed Manal Abo Elial Abo elkiat Hamad Gellan K. Ahmed Shymaa Mohammed Sayed Hassan |
| author_facet | Hosnia Shehata Mohamed Manal Abo Elial Abo elkiat Hamad Gellan K. Ahmed Shymaa Mohammed Sayed Hassan |
| author_sort | Hosnia Shehata Mohamed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Substance use disorders are often accompanied by irrational beliefs and unfavorable attitudes that contribute to their development and persistence. Metaphor therapy, utilizing stories and imagery, has emerged as a potential intervention to reshape thoughts. This study aimed to investigate the impact of metaphor therapy on irrational beliefs and attitudes among individuals with substance use disorders. A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Assiut University Hospital’s substance use inpatient unit from April to December 2023. A non-probability purposive sample of 115 individuals with substance use disorders was selected but only 100 were recruited and randomly assigned to study and control groups. The study group (n = 50) received six 90-min group metaphor therapy sessions over 6 months, while the control group (n = 50) received no intervention. Irrational beliefs and attitudes toward substance use were assessed using the Irrational Beliefs Scale and Attitude Toward Substance Abuse Questionnaire at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up. Results The metaphor therapy group demonstrated significant decreases in mean irrational belief subscale and total scores at post-treatment and follow-up compared to pre-treatment. Additionally, this group exhibited higher mean attitude scores, indicating more negative attitudes (rejection of substance use) during post-treatment and follow-up assessments. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusions Metaphor therapy was effective in reducing irrational beliefs and fostering more favorable attitudes toward substance use among individuals with substance use disorders. The finding suggests metaphor therapy could be a valuable intervention for addressing cognitive and attitudinal factors contributing to substance use. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f4ca8adee7574f268664f856ccde15a8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1687-8329 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery |
| spelling | doaj-art-f4ca8adee7574f268664f856ccde15a82025-08-20T02:37:54ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery1687-83292024-12-0160111210.1186/s41983-024-00917-6Metaphoric interventions for challenging irrational thoughts and attitudes in substance use disordersHosnia Shehata Mohamed0Manal Abo Elial Abo elkiat Hamad1Gellan K. Ahmed2Shymaa Mohammed Sayed Hassan3Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut UniversityDepartment of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut UniversityDepartment of Neurology and Psychiatric, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut UniversityDepartment of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut UniversityAbstract Background Substance use disorders are often accompanied by irrational beliefs and unfavorable attitudes that contribute to their development and persistence. Metaphor therapy, utilizing stories and imagery, has emerged as a potential intervention to reshape thoughts. This study aimed to investigate the impact of metaphor therapy on irrational beliefs and attitudes among individuals with substance use disorders. A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Assiut University Hospital’s substance use inpatient unit from April to December 2023. A non-probability purposive sample of 115 individuals with substance use disorders was selected but only 100 were recruited and randomly assigned to study and control groups. The study group (n = 50) received six 90-min group metaphor therapy sessions over 6 months, while the control group (n = 50) received no intervention. Irrational beliefs and attitudes toward substance use were assessed using the Irrational Beliefs Scale and Attitude Toward Substance Abuse Questionnaire at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up. Results The metaphor therapy group demonstrated significant decreases in mean irrational belief subscale and total scores at post-treatment and follow-up compared to pre-treatment. Additionally, this group exhibited higher mean attitude scores, indicating more negative attitudes (rejection of substance use) during post-treatment and follow-up assessments. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusions Metaphor therapy was effective in reducing irrational beliefs and fostering more favorable attitudes toward substance use among individuals with substance use disorders. The finding suggests metaphor therapy could be a valuable intervention for addressing cognitive and attitudinal factors contributing to substance use.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-024-00917-6Metaphor therapySubstance abuseIrrational beliefsAttitude |
| spellingShingle | Hosnia Shehata Mohamed Manal Abo Elial Abo elkiat Hamad Gellan K. Ahmed Shymaa Mohammed Sayed Hassan Metaphoric interventions for challenging irrational thoughts and attitudes in substance use disorders The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery Metaphor therapy Substance abuse Irrational beliefs Attitude |
| title | Metaphoric interventions for challenging irrational thoughts and attitudes in substance use disorders |
| title_full | Metaphoric interventions for challenging irrational thoughts and attitudes in substance use disorders |
| title_fullStr | Metaphoric interventions for challenging irrational thoughts and attitudes in substance use disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Metaphoric interventions for challenging irrational thoughts and attitudes in substance use disorders |
| title_short | Metaphoric interventions for challenging irrational thoughts and attitudes in substance use disorders |
| title_sort | metaphoric interventions for challenging irrational thoughts and attitudes in substance use disorders |
| topic | Metaphor therapy Substance abuse Irrational beliefs Attitude |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-024-00917-6 |
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