Discussion
drug addiction, anxiety, sleep disturbances, antisocial, aggression, impulsivity, psychasthenia, depression, schizophrenia, irritability, alcohol dependence
This study examined the physical, emotional, and behavioral changes experienced by patients with AUD after AT. First, we found that AT was associated with an increased NK cell count. Alcohol use decreases immune function; moreover, an increased NK cell count indicates increased immune function. The mechanisms through which socio-psychological factors affect immune function and the resulting physiological changes remain unclear [Second, the experimental group showed decreased JNK and p-JNK expression and variations in Elk-1 expression. These findings demonstrate that AT may alleviate stress and depression in patients with AUD. There was a significant between-group difference in SAP expression, which indicates an effect of AT on the body’s anti-inflammatory functions. Elk-1 is associated with drug addiction and depression, with activation by JNK. Future studies should investigate the involvement of Elk-1 in pathophysiological depression [Third, there was a non-significant decrease and increase in cortisol levels in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Cortisol is crucially involved in regulating the limbic and immune systems; moreover, it is associated with changes in behavior, cognition, and immune responses [Fourth, AT caused positive changes in the brain waves of patients with AUD. The ATQ is calculated by dividing the theta wave activity by SMR wave activity (approximately 12–15 Hz) [The ACQ is determined by relative intensity, absolute intensity, log comparison, and arithmetic comparison [The human brain has plasticity, where it consistently adapts and restructures based on learning and experiences [Fifth, the experimental group showed a reduction in depression, anxiety, aggression, impulsivity, alcohol dependence, and anti-sociality. The D scale, which showed the second-highest score in the MMPI-2 in our study, describes the likelihood of suicide attempts, sleep disturbances, vitality, and attention. These effects were markedly alleviated in the experimental group. Further, there were positive changes in DEP, RC7, and RC8, which can be attributed to decreased depression, anxiety, dysfunctional negative emotions, irritability, and aberrant experiences, as well as improved interpersonal relationships. The experimental group showed increased positive emotions and a decreased tendency to feel less positive emotions. There was a positive change in subjective well-being, which alleviated depression and anxiety. Moreover, the experimental group showed decreased aberrant sensory experiences and cynical attitudes. The relationship between AUD and depression is important because it may be a motivation for initial alcohol use. AT had a positive effect on the scores for psychasthenia and paranoia, indicating a relief effect on inappropriate feelings by controlling stress in patients with AUD who lack stress-coping strategies. Consistent with these findings, there was a significant between-group difference in the CES-D and BAI scores.The experimental group showed significant improvement in the BIS-II score, as well as in the antisocial tendency and RC scales in the MMPI-2. Recent studies have shown that impulsivity increases the addiction frequency [Sixth, the experimental group showed improved social relations and self-concept. The MMPI-2, Si, and INTR scales could be associated with depression and social introversion, which causes difficulties in group settings and social life. There were significant changes in the schizophrenia, RC2, and RC3 scales in the experimental group, which indicated positive emotional involvement in life, decreased cynical attitudes, and social depression. AT could eliminate negative emotions through increased attention and acceptance of one’s emotions and others’ feelings, which causes positive changes in anxiety, inferiority, and depression. Group AT can help participants accept other people’s emotions.