Cognitive and Metacognitive Remediation in Addiction Treatment: Randomized Controlled Trial of Efficacy in Parallel Arms

The program will include 10 weekly sessions in an open group format to facilitate the patient's engagement in the treatment program (the patient may join the group at any time). The sessions will last 2 hours, ideally with 4-5 patients per session. Each session will include group and/or individual cognitive exercises to encourage interaction and the sharing of experiences, while also providing individualized and tailored support for each participant. Every cognitive exercise will be approached from a motivational perspective. The exercises offered during the sessions will be combined with systematic verbalization of strategies and emotional states, as well as psychoeducational, body-based, non-verbal communication, and cognitive-behavioral techniques. The proposed strategies will draw on both retrieval and compensatory approaches depending on the individual profiles.

The relaxation program consists of 10 weekly sessions lasting 2 hours, held in open groups of 4 to 5 participants. Each session follows a flexible structure with several phases: a welcome moment where participants identify and express their feelings, a musical listening period to help them settle into the session, and a self-massage activity to promote bodily awareness. This is followed by a guided relaxation phase-either passive or active-to encourage physical and mental release. At the end of the session, a different breathing exercise is introduced each week so participants can discover which technique suits them best. The session concludes with a verbalization period, allowing everyone to share their sensations and impressions in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Participants are encouraged to practice the exercises independently as well .