Culturally adapted therapy for substance use disorder in Pakistan

Feasibility Study of Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Based Integrated Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness Intervention for Substance Use Disorder in Pakistan (CAMIAB)

Not applicable Interventional Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning · NCT04885569

This study is testing a new therapy that combines different approaches to help people in Pakistan who are struggling with substance use problems.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment260 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorPakistan Institute of Living and Learning Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lahore)
Trial IDNCT04885569 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to culturally adapt and integrate Motivational Interviewing with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MICBT) and Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) for individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in Pakistan. The research will involve a three-phase approach: first, cultural adaptation through focus groups and interviews; second, testing the integrated intervention on a small group of participants; and third, conducting a feasibility randomized control trial with 260 participants. The intervention will be delivered over 12 weeks through individual and group sessions, with assessments conducted at baseline, after the intervention, and at 24 weeks post-randomization.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and above who meet DSM-V criteria for substance use disorder and can understand Urdu.

Not a fit: Patients with significant co-occurring medical or mental illnesses that impede their ability to engage in the intervention may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide culturally relevant and effective treatment options for individuals struggling with substance use disorder in Pakistan.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific culturally adapted intervention is novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

* Participants with substance use disorder
* Meeting DSM-V criteria for substance use disorder
* Age 18 years and above
* Being able to understand spoken or written Urdu
* Have undergone through the process of detoxification before study intervention

Exclusion Criteria

• Any evidence of organic brain disease, clinically significant cooccurring medical illness or mental illness to the extent that can impede their ability to provide informed consent or engagement in the intervention.

Where this trial is running

Lahore

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Substance Use Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.