Researchers studying people in methadone maintenance treatment found that distorted beliefs and ongoing cravings each worked against a patient’s confidence in resisting drug use.
What the Study Found
The research, published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2026 and led by Tong-Yao Jin, surveyed patients at three methadone clinics in Wenzhou, China.
Using measurement scales adapted for the local population, the team looked at three things: drug abuse beliefs, drug craving, and refusal self-efficacy, which is a person’s confidence in their own ability to say no to drug use.
The analysis pointed to three patterns. First, mistaken or distorted beliefs about drugs were associated with higher levels of craving.
Second, beliefs and cravings did not simply feed into each other in a chain. Instead, each acted as an independent predictor of weaker refusal self-efficacy.
Third, the effect of distorted thinking on a person’s resolve was closely tied to the immediate, in-the-moment experience of craving.
Because this was a correlational study of a specific group of patients, it can show that these factors move together, but it cannot prove that one causes the other. The findings come from Chinese methadone patients and may not apply to everyone in recovery.
Why Refusal Self-Efficacy Matters
Refusal self-efficacy is a strong theme in relapse prevention. People who feel confident they can handle a craving or a high-risk moment tend to do better at maintaining abstinence.
The study suggests that both the stories people tell themselves about drugs and the physical pull of craving can quietly erode that confidence, which is why many addiction treatment programs work on thoughts and coping skills alongside medication.
Where Medication-Assisted Treatment Fits
Methadone maintenance is a form of medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, which combines an FDA-approved medication with counseling and behavioral support.
Medication can reduce cravings and stabilize a person early in recovery. The new findings reinforce a point clinicians have long made: medication tends to work best when it is paired with therapy that addresses distorted beliefs and teaches craving management, such as cognitive behavioral approaches.
What This Means for Treatment Seekers
If you are comparing programs for yourself or a loved one, this research is a reason to ask how a facility handles the psychological side of recovery.
Does the program combine medication with counseling? Does it teach specific skills for managing cravings and challenging unhelpful beliefs? Addiction treatment options that address both the body and the mind may offer stronger footing for long-term recovery.
Exploring Treatment Options
Finding the right rehab often comes down to matching your needs with the right level of care. You can compare addiction treatment centers, ask about medication-assisted treatment, and confirm which evidence-based therapies a program offers, including cognitive behavioral therapy.
It also helps to verify a facility’s credentials and understand your insurance coverage for rehab before you commit. Rehab.com’s directory lists verified treatment centers. You can call
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