Opioid use among women on a stable methadone dose

Zahra Alammehrjerdi, Omid Massah, Ali Farhoudian, Sara Shishehgar, Afsaneh Moradi, Kate Dolan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background: Opioid use on a stable methadone dose is a health concern in Iran, the most 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.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere9867
Number of pages5
JournalIranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Volume11
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Drug
  • Harm Reduction
  • Iran
  • Methadone

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