The assesment of metacognition in substance use disorders

Substance use disorders continue posing a problem which seriously affects communities and people in a negative way. This study aims to investigate metacognition in subjects diagnosed with a substance use disorder according to DSM-V diagnostic criteria. The study included 100 male inpatients treated in alcohol and substance abuse treatment center of a private hospital in Istanbul. A sociodemographic data form prepared by the researcher, Metacognition Scale-30 (MCQ-30) and The Short Form of Addiction Profile Index (BAPI-SHORT) were used for data collection. Spearman correlation analysis was performed between the subscale scores of MCQ-30 and the subscale scores of BAPI-SHORT, in order to determine the relationship between substance use and metacognition. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between "Positive Belief" scores from the subscales of MCQ-30 and "Substance Use Frequency" scores from the subscales of BAPI-SHORT (p = 0.032, rho = 0.214). Accordingly, as the positive belief increases, the frequency of substance use decreases. On the other hand, statistically significant positive correlation was detected between the "Uncontrollability and Danger" scores from the subscales of MCQ-30 and the "craving" scores from the subscales of BAPI-SHORT (p = 0.025, rho = 0.225). Accordingly, as the severity of craving increases, the uncontrollability and danger increase. Kruskal Vallis test was performed to determine whether there was a relationship between the substance reported by the participants at admission and the total and subscale scores of MCQ-30, but no statistically significant difference was found. The results obtained from the research were discussed considering similar studies in the literature and recommendations were made.