Objective: The aim of this study was to compare dysfunctional attitudes, cognitive distortions, and difficulty in emotion regulation between people with substance abuse and normal people. Method: The research method of this study was descriptive and causal-comparative. The population of this study consisted of the men with substance abuse (opium and opium sap) who had referred to one of the rehabilitation camps of Mahneshan city. In addition, the normal people of this city constituted the population of the control group in this study. The number of 90 subjects with substance abuse was selected as the sample units via purposive sampling according to the inclusion criteria of this study. Similarly, the number of 90 normal subjects was selected as the sample units of the comparison group via convenience sampling method. The subjects of both groups had been matched together in terms of age and education level. Then, Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS-40), Cognitive Distortions Scale, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale were administered to both groups. Results: The results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in all three variables and drug abusers gained higher scores in dysfunctional beliefs, emotional regulation difficulties, and cognitive distortions. Conclusion: These differences are important in the design of clinical interventions for treatment.
