Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Recovery Motivation, Self-Control, and Relapse Prevention in Individuals with Substance Use Disorder

Farshad Samadi; Afsaneh Ashoob

Authors

Farshad Samadi PhD in Health Psychology, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5997-485X
Afsaneh Ashoob Master's degree, Department of General Psychology, ST.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1049-2980

Keywords:

Emotion-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, substance use disorder, recovery motivation, self-control, relapse prevention

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on recovery motivation, self-control, and relapse prevention in individuals with substance use disorder. This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of all individuals with substance use disorder who attended addiction treatment centers in Tehran in 2026. Among eligible individuals, 45 participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each: an Emotion-Focused Therapy group, an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group, and a control group. The Emotion-Focused Therapy group received 10 90-minute intervention sessions, and the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group received 10 90-minute intervention sessions, whereas the control group received the routine services provided by the treatment center. Data were collected using the Recovery Motivation Questionnaire, the Self-Control Scale, and the Relapse Prevention Questionnaire and were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and the Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS version 28. The results indicated that, compared with the control group, both interventions significantly increased recovery motivation and self-control and reduced the likelihood of relapse. Moreover, a significant difference was observed between the two therapeutic approaches. Specifically, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness in enhancing recovery motivation and preventing relapse, whereas Emotion-Focused Therapy showed superior effectiveness in improving self-control and emotional processing. The findings indicated that both Emotion-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are effective in enhancing recovery motivation, improving self-control, and preventing relapse among individuals with substance use disorder. Therefore, these two interventions can be used as effective therapeutic approaches in addiction treatment centers.

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