The effect of self-compassion training on craving and self-efficacy in female patients with methamphetamine dependence: a one-year follow-up

Background: The use of methamphetamine has had arising trend among Iranian women in recent years. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of self-compassion training on craving and self-efficacy in female patients with methamphetamine users and the rate of relapse over a one-year follow-up in 2017–2018 in the city of Kermanshah, Iran.Methods: This study was a randomized, controlled, clinical trial. A total of 40 female patients diagnosed with methamphetamine dependency were randomly assigned either to self-compassion training and control groups. Both groups were assessed before and one month after the educational intervention using craving and self-efficacy questionnaires. The groups were followed-up in terms of methamphetamine use relapse one year after the intervention.Results: After the intervention, the mean craving score decreased (51.82) while the mean self-efficacy score increased (28.82) in the trial group. In the one-year follow-up, ten participants (27.7%) from the trial group and 28 (75.7%) from the control group relapsed into methamphetamine users.Conclusions: Given the present findings regarding the effect of self-compassion training on reduced craving and increased self-efficacy in female patients with methamphetamine dependence, the researchers recommend that self-compassion skills training be applied in drug rehabilitation centers and hospital wards to complement conventional therapies.