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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2023, 25, N1 (pages: 29 - 35)

The role of biopsychological factors in relapse of patients undergoing Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Iran

Motazedian S., Kheradmand A., Badiei R., Seif P., and Danesh A.

Summary: Background: One of the main strategies for the treatment of addiction is methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). Yet a substantial number of MMT patients experience relapses during their abstinence period. This study evaluates the biopsychological and therapeutic factors involved in returning to substance use among MMT patients. Methods: In 2018, a cross-sectional study was done of 525 drug abusers who attended MMT centers in Shiraz and its suburbs. To implement this survey, a questionnaire was designed by the researcher. This questionnaire evaluated the biological, psychological, and therapeutic precipitating factors for returning to drug abuse. In addition, the participants should have experienced more than one prior episode of abstinence to be included in this survey. Results: The most prevalent biological factors were those concerning sexual disorders, severe physical pain, and sleep disorders. And from among the psychological factors those most often indicated were low self-esteem, tedium, need for excitement, depression, and boredom. In regard to therapeutic factors, noncompliance with medical staff recommendations and stopping the therapies with the NA's were among the most common causes. Conclusions: Our findings showed the importance of biopsychological and therapeutic factors in lapse and relapse among different age groups and genders. These results can be a guide for defining a more accurate and individualized method in the approach to addiction treatment for each and every patient so as to prevent relapse.