Determining the Effectiveness of Faith-Based Abstinence-Oriented Therapy on Self-Efficacy and Resilience in Individuals with Substance Use Disorder Under Treatment in Kerman

Abstract

Addiction is widely recognized as a chronic, relapsing disorder that imposes profound psychological and social burdens on individuals and societies. In recent years, evidence has highlighted the pivotal role of psychological constructs such as self-efficacy and resilience in sustaining recovery and preventing relapse among individuals with substance use disorders. Self-efficacy, as defined by Bandura (2004), reflects an individual’s belief in their ability to cope with high-risk situations and resist the urge to use substances. Resilience is understood as the psychological capacity to adapt positively to adversity, stress, and challenges (Connor & Davidson, 2003). Although pharmacotherapy and maintenance treatments form the backbone of evidence-based addiction care in Iran, high relapse rates emphasize the necessity to develop complementary interventions that target these psychological factors. Faith-based abstinence therapy is a culturally-rooted, multidimensional intervention integrating spiritual values, social support, and cognitive-behavioral components, which may play an essential role in promoting self-efficacy and resilience. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of faith-based abstinence therapy on self-efficacy and resilience in individuals undergoing addiction treatment in Kerman in 2024.

Methods:

This study utilized a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all clients residing in addiction treatment centers in Kerman, who had a history of using at least one substance other than nicotine and alcohol, and were receiving care based on the faith-based abstinence protocol during the study period (N=420). Forty participants were selected using cluster random sampling from one of the faith-based abstinence centers and randomly assigned to either the experimental (n=20) or control group (n=20). The experimental group received the faith-based abstinence therapy package, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. Data collection tools included the Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale (1982) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003). Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to assess group differences and to control for pre-test scores.

Results:

The ANCOVA results indicated that faith-based abstinence therapy significantly improved overall self-efficacy and its subscales among participants in the intervention group compared to the control group. The most pronounced effect was observed in the “persistence in the face of failure and stress” subscale. Additionally, faith-based abstinence therapy produced a significant increase in participants’ resilience, particularly in the spirituality subscale, which is closely aligned with the theoretical foundation and essential elements of faith-based interventions. These findings reinforce the importance of addressing spiritual and psychological dimensions in the addiction recovery process.

Conclusion:

Based on the results, faith-based abstinence therapy can be considered an effective adjunctive intervention for improving key psychological factors—namely, self-efficacy and resilience—among individuals in addiction treatment. Strengthening these variables not only supports sustained abstinence but also equips individuals with the necessary skills to cope with hopelessness and stressful situations. These findings underscore the need to integrate culturally-adapted, spirituality-oriented interventions into addiction treatment programs, particularly within the sociocultural context of Iran.