OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured group psychotherapy program integrating cognitive training (CT) and goal management training (GMT) across neuropsychological, coping and behavioural levels in patients with substance use disorder (SUD) under deferred prosecution. METHODS: Utilizing a pre-post design, this study analysed data from 35 patients under deferred prosecution who were enrolled in a compulsory addiction treatment programme consisting of 10-session group psychotherapy incorporating CT and GMT. Patients were primarily addicted to heroin, methamphetamine or cannabis. Neuropsychological assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, including the Stroop Colour-Word Test (SCWT) to assess inhibition, the Tower of London-DX (ToL-DX) to assess planning and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) to assess cognitive flexibility. Additionally, participants completed the Daily Executive Behaviours Scale and substance use was tracked via urine tests. RESULTS: = 0.51); however, no significant changes were found in self-reported assessments or urine tests. CONCLUSIONS: The combined CT and GMT intervention significantly improved cognitive functions, although it did not lead to a notable reduction in substance use. This approach was associated with measurable improvements in executive functions, while highlighting the limits of short-term cognitive enhancement in altering substance use behaviour.
Liu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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