Effect of emotional freedom techniques on psychological symptoms and cravings among patients with substance related disorders

Background: Numerous researchers have found a recurrent co-occurrence of craving and psychological distress among addict patients. Thus, this necessitates applying evidence-based practices like emotional freedom technique (EFT) that are characterized by simplicity and using 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 and 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, Egypt. 

Subjects: The subjects of the study comprised 90 patients. 

Tools: Three tools were used: Tool I, interview questionnaire sheet (sociodemographic and clinical data); Tool II, substance-related disorders and alcohol cravings (Penn Alcohol Craving Scale [PACS]); and Tool III, Symptom Checklist–90 scale (SCL-90 R).

Results: Applying a psycho-educational program of EFT significantly reduced the levels of craving, and statistically significant decreases were observed in all 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 a psycho-educational program of EFT significantly reduced levels of craving and significantly improved psychological symptoms among patients with substance related disorders. 

Recommendations: These results demonstrate that EFT could be an efficient adjunct tool for addiction treatment by reducing the high levels of craving and decreasing severity of the general psychological symptom distress among addict patients.