The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Improving Emotion Regulation and Enhancing Quality of Life in Individuals with Substance Dependence

Drug addiction is one of the major psychological and social health challenges that leads to a decline in quality of life and disrupts individuals’ emotion regulation. The ability to identify, accept, and manage negative emotions plays a crucial role in preventing high-risk behaviors and relapse into substance use. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as a modern psychotherapeutic approach, focuses on accepting inner experiences and committing to personal values, thereby enhancing emotion regulation and improving the quality of life of individuals with substance dependence. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ACT in improving emotion regulation and increasing quality of life among substance users. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and control group. The statistical population included individuals with substance dependence who referred to addiction treatment centers in ۲۰۲۵, from which a sample of ۳۰ participants was selected using convenience sampling. Data collection instruments included the Gross Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the Quality of Life Questionnaire. Findings indicated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy led to a significant improvement in emotion regulation and an increase in quality of life in the experimental group compared to the control group. These results suggest that ACT can be used as an effective psychological intervention for reducing emotional problems and enhancing the quality of life in individuals with substance dependence. Implementing ACT, by promoting coping skills and emotional management, can contribute to improved life satisfaction and reduced relapse behaviors among substance users and may serve as a complementary and efficient approach in addiction treatment programs.

کلیدواژه ها:

Addiction ، Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) ، Emotion Regulation ، Quality of Life ، Substance Dependence