Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Psychological Symptoms and Cravings among Patients with Substance Related Disorders

Abstract

Numerous researchers have found a recurrent co-occurrence of craving & psychological distress among addict patients'. Thus, this necessitate applying evidence-based practice like the EFT techniques that are characterized by its simplicity, and used it as a self-help tool for managing craving , and psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of emotional freedom techniques on psychological symptoms & cravings among patients with substance related disorders. Design: Quasi experimental research design was used. Setting: The present study was conducted at Elmaamoura Hospital for psychiatric Medicine in Alexandria. Subjects: The subjects of the study comprised of 90 patients. Tools: Three tools were used:, Tool I: Interview questionnaire sheet (Socio-demographic and clinical data)., Tool II: Substance related disorders &Alcohol Cravings ( The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale( PACS),Tool III: The Symptom Checklist 90 scale (SCL-90 R),Results: Applying psycho-educational program of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) significant reducing level of craving, and All statistically significant decrease was observed in the three global indices ( GSI,PSDI,PST) and all of the SCL-90 subscales nine dimensions after the sessions , indicating a reduction in psychological distress( P < 0.005 ). Conclusion: Applying psycho-educational program of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) significant reducing level of craving, significant improvements in psychological symptoms among substance related disorders patients'. Recommendations: These results demonstrate that EFT could be an efficient adjunct tool for addiction treatment by reducing the high levels of craving & decreasing severity of the general psychological symptom distress among addict patients