Self-examination therapy as an adjunct treatment for depressive symptoms in substance abusing patients

To determine the efficacy of Self-Examination Therapy as an adjunct treatment for depressive symptoms in substance abusing patients, 28 adult male volunteers from a substance abuse unit at a VA Medical Center were randomly assigned to either Self-Examination Therapy or a Current Events comparison group. Analyses indicated that participants in Self-Examination Therapy showed significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms and overall psychopathology than participants in the Current Events comparison group. These results suggest that Self-Examination Therapy is a viable adjunct treatment for substance abusers, particularly those with depressive symptoms.