Author/Authors :
Alammehrjerdi, Zahra School of Public Health and Community Medicine - University of New South Wales - Sydney, Australia , Massah, Omid University of SocialWelfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran , Farhoudian, Ali University of SocialWelfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran , Shishehgar, Sara Faculty of Health - University of Technology Sydney - Sydney, Australia , Moradi, Afsaneh Department of Psychology - School of Psychology and Educational Sciences - Al-Zahra University, Tehran , Dolan, Kate School of Public Health and Community Medicine - University of New South Wales - Sydney, Australia
Abstract :
Background: Opioid use on a stable methadone dose is a health concern in Iran, themost populous Persian Gulf country. However,
the underlying reasons associated with opioid use have not been studied.
Objectives: The study aimed to explore the reasons associated with opioid use among a group of Persian methadone-maintained
women. The other aim was to explore effective interventions to stop this problem.
Methods: The current qualitative study was conducted between June 2008 and December 2009. The study sites included ten large
methadone treatment clinics in Tehran. The study employed semi-structured interviews with 50 women. Six roundtable meetings
were conducted with nine key informants. NVivo 10 was used to thematically analyze the data.
Results: Women were on a stable methadone dose of 45 - 115 mg for at least six months. Opioid availability, an opioid-dependent
lifestyle, peer pressure and self-treatment were the reasons of opioid use. The provision of cognitive-behavioral therapy, life skills,
observational learning, and mental health services were the suggested interventions to stop opioid use.
Conclusions: Opioid use on a stable methadone dose had been facilitated by some factors which should be considered in
methadone treatment. The suggested interventions should be considered in increasing methadone treatment outcomes.
Keywords :
Drug , Harm Reduction , Iran , Methadone
