Role of Motivation for Behavior Change in Treatment Retention Amongst a Group of Illicit Drug Users: A Study From Iran

Background: A change in behavior is one of the most important components of readiness for drug use treatment in Iran. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine ones willingness to change and continue treatment amongst patients receiving opium tincture (OT) maintenance treatment in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in 2014. Overall, 140 participants were selected from clients who were referred by a non-governmental organization providing OT, Congress 60, to four drug use treatment centers. At the start of the study, the questionnaire; stages of change readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale were completed. After three months, participants were divided into two groups of retention and relapse. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and by performing an independent t-test. Results: There was no significant difference between the retention group and relapse group regarding demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). Motivation for change was higher in the retention group compared to the relapse group and their differences were significant (P < 0.001). Group differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001) in rates of recognition, ambivalence and taking steps. Conclusions: In drug-dependent clients, motivation for behavior change is one of themosteffective factors for treatment retention. Motivation for behavior change is composed of better recognition of the problem, higher rates of taking steps and less ambivalence in decision making. Further studies are suggested.